Jean’s Eulogy. It seems strange for me to stand here and tell you about Jean because all of you knew her and going by the sympathy cards the impact of her life reached further than I ever realised. So, who is this in front of us, this is Jean. So much more than Mrs Smith, Mum, my Wife or volunteer, this is Jean or affectionately Known as Mush by the family. Jean gave everybody 100% when first meeting them, then even if they fell short, she still had understanding, consideration and empathy. When I first met Jean, nearly 60 years ago, she was already a carer, for her disabled brother Peter, Jean as a teenager coping with these difficult circumstances. This was a character in Jean that I saw and which she continued throughout her life. Jean gave up her career to tend to the needs of our children, myself and carry out volunteer work. Soon after I met Jean I remember racing at Snetterton, Jean was my pit-crew. I had an accident and Jean came to the hospital with me and not only cared for me but helped the medical crew all through the night with others injured in the crash. As our relationship developed I was the trials organiser of our scooter club and Jean not only supported me but became my navigator and sometimes mechanic, but whilst continuing to care for all its members. Something that will repeat itself in other clubs. This was Jean. At the Southall College of Technology, I became the Entertainment & Social Secretary of the Students Union. This was initially an all-male college but with Jeans usual bravado she changed the ethos and made it inclusive and joined in supporting me in all events and even joining the Drama Group. We obviously married and moved from London to Reading. Jean joined the Caversham Park Village Association which eventually built a Community Centre where Jean helped organise play groups and manage the buildings manipulating me as a tool to maintain them. Jean also canvassed for Michael Heseltine, not for political reasons but she thought it best for the community. She did all this while still caring and bringing up three young babies, then children, whilst I worked a shift system and then later flew around the world. They are a magnificent legacy to her. We moved to Devizes and fell in love with the town and its people. Jean bringing her community spirit with her. She continued to care for children joining the playgroup and holiday club at St Peters church. We also saw the potential of one of Devizes many assets, the canal, at that time derelict west of the Wharf. Jean joined the local branch of the Kennet and Avon Canal Trust and was part of the team that secured a lottery grant of £27 million for its restoration. But it was the people that interested her most and she organised the roster for the K&A shop helpers. One of the highlights of committee membership was being invited as a guest to the opening of the Caen Hill Flight of Locks by Queen Elizabeth 2nd. Jean was also to feature at the 25th anniversary of the opening by organising the catering for the guests. She really did excel on that day. Royal visits for Jean continued when she was presented to the Princess Royal when the Kennet and Avon canal trust was awarded the Queens award for Voluntary Services. Jean was a major influence in getting Devizes its own trip boat, The Kenavon Venture. Jean was one of the first and regular crew members on trips. She always cared for the Passengers. This came to light when Kenavon Venture had its only emergency evacuation when Jean performed admirably escorting the passengers to safety and liaising with the emergency services. Jean continued on the committee for 35 years helping out whenever possible. Who could forget her legendary Tombola Stalls and Garden Parties. We made many good friends through the Trust and I truly thank you all from the bottom of my heart. Staying with the canal for a moment, Jean’s love of animals came to the fore when she campaigned against British Waterways procedure of emptying the water from a pound for maintenance or restoration, leaving some fish to flounder. With support from the angling club British waterways changed the procedure to catch all the fish. Jean also started a group called ‘Friends of the Flight’, a group of walkers, fishermen, historians and anybody else she could collar. Part of the love of Devizes was its community spirit shown partly but not exclusively by the Carnival Committee. Jean also joined this committee getting involved in all aspects of the organisation and activities which evolved into the Devizes Outdoor Celebratory Arts. Her caring for the immediate family didn’t stop with me and the children, she also cared for her mother, which could be difficult at times. Jean first moved her to Devizes and then even closer to Flights Rest to improve the care she could give. Although the residents of Devizes were well catered for, Jean could see a need for likeminded ladies of a certain age. In America we came across a group called ‘The Red Hat Ladies’ whose motto was ‘Grow old disgracefully’. This fitted the bill and Jean arranged a meeting for Ladies, over 50 turned up for the first meeting. Various visits and activities followed including a float in the Devizes Carnival. One visit was to the RNLI college in Poole. Jean with her dad’s Navy career in mind took to the college and organised further visits, both for the K&ACT and the Jensen Owners’ Club taking up every available room for a weekend visit. Her association with the RNLI continued with her joining the Devizes and Marlborough branch with a view to holding a fundraising Garden Party at Flights Rest, sadly to be cancelled because of the pandemic. I’ve mentioned Garden Parties before and others were for the Wessex Area of the JOC, DOCA and for the Conservative party in support of the then MP Michael Ancram who loved Devizes just as much as we did. Jean also served on the Conservative branch committee as a non-card holding member canvassing for Michael and then organising a car rally and being chosen to lay a wreath, just outside of here on Armistice Day. Jean was known to be honest and fair, because of this she was asked to be trained as a magistrate, Jean declined knowing her own limitations. I mentioned earlier about Jeans caring for her brother. This caring for the disabled continued throughout her life. Jean learned of a group of adults with special needs in the Devizes area, they were members of ‘The Kennet Gateway Club’. Jean attended their meetings as a helper and friend. She also went on trips with them and organised an annual ride on Kenavon Venture for them. I joined Jean on these ‘away days’ and found Jean to be very accomplished, friendly and supportive to a group that some people find it difficult to associate with, She just saw them as no different to anyone else and spoke to them as she would to anybody. This is another club that Jean was associated with that was awarded the Queen’s award for voluntary services. Another one of Jeans organisations that she volunteered for was the Avon Valley railway, Jean not only used her crafting skills, like re-upholstering the carriages or renovating a telephone box but she was like a mother or confidant to the other volunteers, some with limited social skills. Yet another organisation that was awarded the Queens award for voluntary services. This caring side of Jean came through again when she took up a cleaning job at an agency. Jean volunteered for the most unpopular job on their books which was to clean at the Green Lane secure Psychiatric hospital. Thats what Jean would do. Although it could have been more to do with her fascination and curiosity? It wasn’t just people with mental issues Jean cared for. Before the first Gulf war, Jean joined the Red Cross. This was to be trained at the military hospital at Wroughton to care for the hoards of injured soldiers that were expected to be re-patriated. Thankfully she wasn’t needed in that capacity. But she did continue with the Red Cross, visiting Care Homes to talk/comfort and pamper the residents by combing their hair and painting their nails bright red. I have mentioned the Jensen Owners’ Club a couple of times but the Jensen world has probably been the most significant part of our life together, apart from our children. Jean and I bought an Interceptor the same day we agreed to buy what is now Flights Rest. A year later I started to restore the Jensen. We joined the JOC as I needed to be educated on the car but Jean soon realised there must be more to a club than just cars. She contacted the Membership Secretary and got the details of all members in the West Country. These were contacted and a meeting was arranged in Keynsham. That meeting resulted in the Wessex Centre being created and along with it many friends from not just this area but throughout the country and indeed the world. Jean concentrated on the people, the members, she gave us an identity with our own Regalia. She, together with other members organised monthly meets but had the motto ‘Look after the girls so the boys can play with their toys’. The meetings always consisted of good food and a location to visit, some of the boys just looked under bonnets. Jean also organised a stand at the annual Classic Car Show at Shepton Mallet. We got involved in all the national events. But it became evident there were problems at committee level. Three members of our Wessex Area took on the Executive roles on the committee and saved the club from going under with days to spare. The area later producing another 2 chairman. What would have happened if Jean hadn’t started the Wessex Area? Jean and I became more and more involved in events. Jean looking after the members, like providing breakfasts for all at Stoneleigh and together with Thelma Smith providing dedicated social areas for the hard-working members on the stand. Jean extended the social side of the club by organising an Autumn Weekend initially for local members but it became a popular national event. Jean kept up her idea of looking after the ladies by organising trips for shopping or cultural visits at the International Weekends. Membership increased because Jean would take the wives of potential members aside to explain the social benefits of membership. The best of this action was yet to come. I had arranged for a prominent Classic Car journalist to attend one of the JOC events, he turned up with his wife. Jean immediately took her away and said “You don’t want to look at cars all day, come with us girls”. At the end of the day, she declared to her husband that she had had a marvellous day. Some time after, Richard Calver was staying with us and we invited that journalist along for a Dinner Party. It was during that evening that Dave Richards declared us the friendliest of car club he has ever known. It was down to Jean that the Jensen Owners’ Club became to be known as ‘The Friendly Club’. When I became Chairman of the JOC, Jean was told as a chairman’s wife she would have to change her attire, Jean continued to wear her flip-flops, that was Jean. What you get is what you see (to quote Tina Turner). I cannot under estimate the contribution and impact Jean made to the JOC and its members. You may know that it was Jean that bought me Richard Jensen’s Jensen C-V8, with my money that I didn’t have, saving it from a left-hand conversion and going abroad. Something that I am now most grateful for. Believe me, I have only touched on one aspect of her love of life…. The caring of people. She also loved music, art, history, wildlife and the country. During her illness we were told Jean would probably get angry, use inappropriate language, get aggressive and possibly even violent. That never came out. Why? Because I believe it was never in her in the first place. On a stay in hospital Jean was asked where she wanted to go when discharged, she declared she wanted what was best for Alan and the family. Even then she cared for others and not herself. She came and stayed at home. It is often said that some people light up a room when entering. With Jean it was different she would light up when anybody entered the room. Even when the carers came and Jean knew they would cause her discomfort she would greet them with a smile. During the final days when Jean was exceeding expectations a nurse said that Jean had a good heart. She didn’t know how right she was, in more ways than one. I have received many accolades in my time and as you have just heard, Jean was either right alongside me or the frontrunner. She never received the acknowledgement she deserved. So, I am not sure of the etiquette at a funeral, but this is what I want: - I would like everybody to give Jean a rousing ovation. Not to celebrate Jean’s life but just for Jean. Thankyou.

Thank you for setting up this tribute for Jean in aid of Dorothy House. This is your own special place dedicated to the memory of her. You and your friends and family can share special photos and memories, as well as donating to help other patients and families in our community. I hope that everyone who comes to this page is offered some comfort, and this space becomes a place of cherished memories for you to visit whenever you wish. If you would like to contact me, or have any questions, please do contact me at: supportercareteam@dorothyhouse-hospice.org.uk. Thank you. Clare Way Individual Giving supportercareteam@dorothyhouse-hospice.org.uk