A HAMPSHIRE couple who spent almost 70 years together have died within three days of each other.

Joan and Leslie Powell were married for 68 years and lived in Bishop’s Waltham for nearly all of their lives.

Joan, 85, died on Sunday after a battle with cancer and her husband, Leslie, 86, passed away just three days later, after suffering an infection.

Daughter Lesley Ellen, 63, said: “It was their wish that they should go together, and I suppose it feels right that it’s happened like this. We just want to say what a fine example they were and how much we appreciated them and are grateful to them.”

The couple, who lived in Brooklands Road, were heavily involved in village life and they were both members of many different organisations.

Retired British Rail coach painter Leslie used to dress up every year as Father Christmas to visit schools and events, and Joan volunteered with the St John Ambulance for 36 years.

Lesley added: “It isn’t just the family that’s suffering a severe shock and loss, it’s the whole of the village.

“They were totally involved in the community and were members of goodness knows how many organisations.

“They’re going to be very, very sadly missed.”

Joan and Leslie leave children Alan, John, Lesley and Michael, along with four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

A funeral for the couple will be held at 2pm on Friday, November 19 at St Peter’s Church in Bishop’s Waltham, before they are buried together at West Hoe cemetery. The family has asked that donations are made to Cancer Research or the British Legion instead of sending flowers.