A CHAMPION of independent traders has died aged 63.
Mrs Joan Duesbury was a member of the Yorkshire Independent Grocers' Association .
Mrs Duesbury, in partnership with her husband, Albert, who passed away two years ago, founded the Yorkshire Promotion Group in the mid-eighties.
In 1993 it joined with other associations to form the Yorkshire Independent Grocers Association.
She was a leading player in both groups holding the position of secretary from the formation of each in turn until retirement four years ago.
Mrs Duesbury lived on Meltham Road in Honley.
Geoff Cox, the association's membership secretary said: "People from all over the country will hold Joan's name fondly in their memories when they discuss her fight against the blight of giant supermarkets being constructed all over the green countryside.
"She managed to postpone or even prevent some ever being built and was many times requested to send information for fighting these applications to many parts of the country.
"Mrs Duesbury was a stalwart and a strict defender of the independent trader.
"She would defend them and our independent association against any critical comment if she considered it to be anything but 100% true."
She leaves a son, Paul, and a daughter, Yvonne.
Her funeral will take place at 3pm on Friday, December 9 at Huddersfield Crematorium.
