Tributes paid to Josie Beck of C&J Beck's Newsagents

Josephine (Josie) Beck of Flint sadly passed away on Wednesday, September 18, aged 76. 

'Josie' Lambert, daughter of Ernie and Harriet Lambert, had four sisters named Jacqueline, Joycelyn, Marie and Marion.

Josie left secondary school aged 15 to work at Courtaulds Castle Works cake sorting on the shop floor then went travelling around Europe in her late teens.

In 1970, aged 22, Josie lost her mother Harriet and as the eldest daughter still at home, she helped her father hugely. 

Josie and Colin celebrating their 50th anniversary and again in the 1970s (Image: Callum Beck) Life then changed for Josie as she met and married Colin Beck, also of Flint. It was in 1972, Josie and Colin acquired their Shop C&J Beck’s Newsagents in Chester Road, west Shotton, where they lived in the above flat.

The pair were blessed with three wonderful children Peter, Sarah and James. 

Normal life for them would be for Colin to open the shop at 5am and Josie to later take over.

Josie with her children and their partners at Colin's 80th Birthday (Image: Callum Beck) Grandson Callum said: "She loved being at the centre of the community over the years and having banter with customers. She made friends with regular customers to the shop. Generations of Deesiders knew Josie.

"People grew up with Beck’s newsagents from getting sweets on the way to school as children, to paying bills in later life and bringing their children to the shop."

Josie first became a grandmother in 1995. She proudly has four - Connor, Callum, Sasha and Joshua.

The pair retired in 2009, completely deserving of a well-earned rest, and even making the local news.

Josie crossing the finishing line in Monaco 2023 (Image: Callum Beck)

Callum added: "Josie’s friends were the whole of Deeside and her hobbies were watching her three children competing in swimming galas up and down the country.

"When she passed her driving test in later life she would take her youngest to galas all over. She also enjoyed watching Liverpool FC, going on family holidays, looking after her children and grandchildren and, in retirement, going to her lodge in Pwllheli.

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"She loved catching up with old friends in retirement when shopping and rolling back the years. In May last year, she went on a trip to Monaco Grand Prix for her Son’s 50th and 50th Wedding Anniversary."

Grandson Connor confirmed the funeral will take place on Wednesday, October 9 at Flint Parish Church of St Mary and St David.

"Josie will be passing through Shotton at 12.30pm to say her final ‘Tara Love’ to all of her friends she treasured over the years", he said.

Josie was loved dearly by her friends, family and loyal customers across Flintshire. She will be deeply missed.