A little over 60 years ago John and I got to know Jill at Upminster Methodist Church  Sunday Evening Fellowship.  She became a dear friend, happy, smiley and good company.  She was a bridesmaid at our wedding in 1966 and I a matron of honour at hers a year later.  For both our weddings we sewed our own dresses and enjoyed the time spent together stitching towards our separate futures.


In spite of the distance between us after our marriages we kept in touch, meeting up from time to time when we were always warmly welcomed for an enjoyable few days together.  As the years rolled by Anniversaries began to play an increasing part, getting together for Ruby and Golden weddings in Cheshire and Hampshire.  Whatever the time span in between our meetings the camaraderie returned immediately and in particular we had a most enjoyable canal trip with them for part of Jill and Tim’s Golden Wedding celebration.  It was particularly memorable as, while we were mooring up for the final time to say farewell, John managed to fall in!  He was supposedly the ‘expert’ who knew the ropes, but that was definitely a demonstration of ‘how not to do it’ which we all had a good laugh about!

Jill was a very special person who we had the great blessing of counting as a lovely, warm-hearted and inspiring friend.  We will miss her greatly and send Tim, Dickon and Sarah our heartfelt condolences on their loss.