1939-2020
Published in Friends’ Newletter 98 – Spring 2021
My lovely partner Jean, better known to all as Jeannie, (or even ‘Pumpers’ at the West London Aero Club), passed away on December 14th.
I knew Jeannie for over 30 years and she was my partner for the last 20 of them and I can honestly say that she made them the happiest and most fulfilling of my life.
She was known for her happy attitude and big smile whatever she was doing and ‘doing’ was her forte. She loved to get involved with a zeal and a passion that was truly remarkable. Anyone who has heard her talk about her flying adventures will know that she had a determination to give her best in whatever she undertook. It was Jeannie who suggested that I should volunteer at the museum after I retired, and although she never did ‘front of house’, she was always there helping behind the scenes however she could. From knitting Harry Potter and woolly fruit for the pillory (she was a champion knitter), giving talks, baking cakes, manning the tea stall at events, supplying copious amounts of materials for our activity to critiquing my efforts for this Newsletter, Jeannie was always there with a smile.
Joining the Friends gave her even more involvement and became one of her abiding interests, especially when she became Treasurer. She also organised the distribution, sale and collection of our Christmas cards including numerous shifts for ‘Cards for Good Causes’ at Maidenhead library. She also organised the booking and preparation of our meeting room at Dedworth.
She certainly had a stubborn streak, and she did things her way – no arguing! But always without rancour or temper.
She will be very much missed by all the staff, volunteers and Friends.
In the time that we were together, her health wasn’t always the best. She suffered breast cancer twice, a triple heart by-pass and became diabetic. Latterly, arthritis slowed her down somewhat, but through it all she showed her typical attitude of resilience and carrying on regardless.
To my five grandchildren and great-granddaughter, she will always be ‘Nanny Jean’ the demon knitter!
I have a hole in my heart that will never be filled. Jeannie was my partner, soulmate and rock. God Bless.
Friends of Windsor Museum 