The late Joan Root.
Educated at Enfield Catholic Convent and Ware Grammar School, she went on to become an editor at House & Garden magazine taking over from poet and novelist Elizabeth Smart (By Grand Central Station I Sat Down and Wept).
Joan met Harold (Harry) Root in 1951 and they married in 1952.
Harry retired when he had a stroke in his 50s and at that point their passion for antiques developed and then into a business.
Firstly a lockup at Royston Corn Exchange (Hertfordshire) in the 1970s, then as Williton Antiques (Somerset) in the 1980s.
They also had a stall on Mondays at the Taunton Antiques Centre and at Shepton Mallet Antiques & Collectors Fair (Royal Bath & West Showground).
When Harry died in 2000 Joan carried on at Shepton Mallet with her son Jonathan before moving to Launceston, Cornwall.
Joan is survived by her children Philippa and Jonathan and her six grandchildren.
From family
