Morecambe and Wise legend's wife dies 40 years after husband - on 97th birthday

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Eric Morecambe's wife Joan Bartlett has died on her 97th birthday. Her death comes 40 years after her heavy-smoking comedy star husband lost his life.A statement confirming her death said: "It is with great sadness and the heaviest of hearts that we must share the news that our mother, Joan, has passed away peacefully at the age of 97 after a short illness."The statement, issued on behalf of their children - Stephen, 54, Gary, 67, and Gail, 71 - in the wake of her passing, added: "Our family kindly requests some privacy during this time while we grieve our sad loss."Joan and Eric, made famous by his Morecambe and Wise TV show, married in Margate in 1952 and had their wedding reception in the Bulls Head pub.

The Mirror reports Joan was born on March 26, 1927 and died on Tuesday, on her 97th birthday. She was the founder and president of the Lady Taverners, part of the Lord's Taverners youth cricket and disability sports charity, from 1987 to 1992.

In 2015, she was made an OBE for charitable services in the Queen's New Year's Honours List. Joan's husband Eric, who was one half of comedy duo Morecambe and Wise died in May 1984, aged 58.

His wife recently revealed how her husband was worried his comedy would be forgotten after his death. She said: "He used to say to me, 'I do hope we won't be forgotten.