HOPPERS Crossing resident Joan Zinnecker still remembers receiving picture books in the mail from the charity Legacy, when she was a child and her father was serving in World War II.

“I remember the books said inside, ‘Dear Joan, love Legacy,” Mrs Zinnecker said.

Legacy, formed after WW I, provides services and support to families of deceased veterans across Australia.

The not-for-profit group has played a major part in Mrs Zinnecker’s life.

While she was a teenager, Mrs Zinnecker met her future husband Edward ‘Ted’ Zinnecker on a train, while he was in RAAF uniform.

He saw action in Vietnam during 1969 and the couple also spent four years in Malaysia, while he served with the air force as a signaller and gunner, also known as an air electronics officer.

The pair were married for almost five decades before Mr Zinnecker passed away, after which his wife joined the Werribee Legacy Widows Club about nine years ago.

“It’s lovely for women on their own to know we can meet and help each other,” Mrs Zinnecker said.

“I think what I enjoy most is the friendship and knowing you’re not the only one who has lost your husband and there are other people who know what you’re going through.

“It’s a lovely group of ladies. We have a lot of fun, monthly meetings, a luncheon and some bus trips on Sundays through the year.

“We just try to help one another out and have a good laugh.”

Donate by visiting www.legacy.com.au or calling 1800 534 229.