Horsington says a moving farewell to Jane Jones

To say that Horsington Church was packed on the afternoon of 22 December would be an understatement.

People travelled from all over the world to attend Jane Jones’s memorial service, following her sad death on 7^th December. There was barely any standing room left. No-one could recall the church being so full within living memory.

The huge turnout is a testimony to the love, affection and esteem in which Jane was held, not only in the village, but also further afield. Indeed we were told that prayers were being said for her that very afternoon in many other churches by people unable to attend the service.

Dr Bob Jones welcomed the gathering with a short word of thanks to everyone in the village for their kindness and generosity during Jane’s illness. Bob and Jane’s sons David, Toby and Paul read a tear-provoking parable about Motherhood, and Toby delivered a tribute which was a masterpiece of oratory. He had clearly made a huge effort in terms of research and preparation.

Finally each of their seven young grandchildren read their own poems of remembrance of their grandmother. It was a very moving occasion.

Jane was born on the 16^th February 1940. She was mischievous, loved chocolate and animals, and made many early lifelong friends. She studied nursing at St Thomas’ Hospital in London, and her exploits included  an overland trip back from South Africa, sailing in a square rigger, and  climbing Mt Kilimanjaro (twice), a mere 19,000 feet. She was a tough competitor and excelled at tennis, canoeing, ski-ing, and even cards.  She sang in the Wincanton Choral Society. And, as we heard, she was a wonderful grandmother.

She lived with Bob and the family in Horsington for 44 years.  She became a piano teacher, plugging away relentlessly to gain her LRAM qualification. She was a school governor at Horsington Primary School for over 15 years, including two periods as Chair of the Governors,  and was one of the forces behind the creation of the highly successful  Horsington Villager Magazine. She battled the bureaucrats for a loo in the church. She befriended and helped many people in need, was a mediator, peacemaker and listener. But she could also be tough. The day before she was diagnosed with the brain tumours which killed her, Jane had played tennis and walked 11 miles in the afternoon. And then donated a pint of blood the next day!

 Bob proposed to Jane over a plate of whitebait, which became a standing joke in the family. In early married life they worked together in Zambia and Uganda, before moving to Horsington for Bob’s GP practice in Wincanton. They were together  for 48 years in what Bob described as a “golden marriage”.

The entire village sends its sincere condolences to Bob and his family. Horsington will be a poorer place now that she has gone.

Donations in memory of Jane are being invited for the Brain Tumour Charity or St Margaret’s Hospice, Yeovil. Please send via Harold F. Miles, funeral director, South Cadbury, BA22 7ES