Jean Lloyd-George

“Your life was a blessing, your memory a treasure.”  Peacefully at Leighton Hospital, aged 86 years. Dear Sister and Aunt who will be sadly missed by all who knew her.

Jean was and is by all accounts truly “UNFORGETTABLE” as Nat King Cole sang as entry music.

She was a true daughter of Crewe, one of nine children. Sadly only Alice is now left.

The Crewe she would have grown up in would have been very different to how things are nowadays.

Jean connects us with those times and places. We have lost another part of our history and roots. Although many don’t appreciate it, we live our lives today thanks to the thousands of  lives of people like Jean who went before us.

Many things change, but not everything. The importance of love and faithfulness, the value of honesty and integrity – they don’t change. Careful use of money and resources are just as important now, as ever.

These and lots of other values Jean and most of her generation stood for.

Although her marriage in early life was very sadly cut short, and there were no children, family life was valued by Jean. Her relationships with her sisters – especially perhaps Clare and Alice – meant a lot to her, as did her relationships with many nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews – especially perhaps Laura and Emily to whom she bequeaths some very happy memories.

Jean brought her high intelligence to bear on all her tasks and interests. She had attended Crewe Grammar School for Girls – an early indication of her ability. Even more to the point, she achieved a fantastic score in the MENSA IQ test she took, putting her in the top 2% of the population.

She has had a successful career in accountancy where one of her big achievements was presiding over the decimalisation change-over at The Welcome Foundation. Everything was done to the highest standards. I guess she didn’t suffer fools gladly!!

She had wider interests outside accountancy, and to which she applied her intellectual ability with equal dedication.  She loved watching horse racing. She knew all about the horses, their trainers, jockeys, stables, etc. She also loved attending and watching cricket – again with that same passion and insight.

In fact, she had plans in retirement to move with her sister Clare  to Scarborough, where these twin passions – horses and cricket – could readily have been indulged. Sadly, Clare’s passing put paid to those plans. But Jean’s ashes are going to Scarborough, so in a sense she’ll get there after all!

Then there were several other interests – even passions – in Jean’s life. Jazz music and concerts were a special favourite. This love was reflected in the music choices in the service.  But she enjoyed plenty of other sorts of performances such as those of Ken Dodd and Winifred Atwell.

She had a fascination with elephants, as reflected in her elephant ornaments and teacloths and the like with elephant designs. One could speculate as to what she found so interesting and desirable about these animals. Perhaps their intelligence, their long memories, their seeming ability to show compassion.

We should also remember Jean’s interest in local and not-so-local places, and the associated coach trips, to places like Rhos-on-Sea or York or Blackpool. Also her long-term support for the RNLI (to which kind donations were invited in Jean’s memory).

Jean had a sense of beauty and artistry, a creative streak. You can see that in various ways. In her knitting for example, often done for charity. In her love of music as mentioned previously.  In her appreciation of the beauty and charm of town and countryside. In her collection of ornaments. In her letters – she had style in her letters. She wrote very many, serving many different purposes.

No doubt there are other ways in which she showed an appreciation for what looked attractive and beautiful, and the way she created attractive things.

When we are artistic we enter a realm which transcends ourselves. We enter another dimension to life which is bigger than ourselves. We bring pleasure to others. We give of ourselves.

Jean’s mind was intact up until the end – perhaps because she kept it so active with her wide and insightful interests. She had an appreciation of this wonderful world in which we live. There are plenty of shadows of course, but even more bright spots. I think Jean understood that perfectly. And with that understanding, she enjoyed a life full of interest and curiosity. With that went a sense of gratitude – to others, to God – and I think she had contentment in her heart.

The poem on the service sheet actually said it all: “Play jolly music!” So did Louis Armstrong at the end of the service:

It’s a wonderful world
I’m just walking on air
Talk of heaven on earth
I’ve got more than my share

We  take comfort that Jean was able to live out her final years independently in her own home, and latterly Goddard Court, thanks to the loving care of her nephew Ian and his wife Sheila.  Ian would wish me to give special mention to Sheila who has so faithfully served Jean in recent times. Also, special thinks to the staff of Goddard Court and the SOS Care Team – and extra-special thanks to Jordan. Thanks to Ward 12 at Leighton.

While we hope we will be reunited with loved ones again, and those who love Jean will see her again, in the meanwhile she leaves you fragrant and uplifting memories. Rejoice in those memories, now absolutely priceless. Smile and chuckle as she might have smiled and chuckled. Be better people for having been in her company. So may she rest in peace.

Her funeral will take place on Thursday 20th October 2022 at Crewe Crematorium Chapel at 10am.

Family Flowers only please. Donations made in memory of Jean will be gratefully received for RNLI.

For further information and to offer your condolences, please telephone our funeral home on 01270 584447.