June Jackson

“Always loved, never forgotten and forever missed.”

June sadly passed away on the 27th July in the care of the South Cheshire Hospital, Leighton, aged 86 years.

June was a loving wife to Peter, who died very prematurely at age 40, and subsequently to Donald who died some 13 years ago, and loving mum to Mandy and Tim. And she was an adoring Gran to Kristian. June’s caring nature came out in the way she lovingly cared for both Peter and Donald in their sad decline.

June’s birth and subsequent childhood on a smallholding near Tattenhall  must have been simple and unsophisticated. In some ways perhaps life could have been idyllic, but we also know it would have been tough, creature comforts would have been in very short supply, winters would have been bitterly cold, and so on. But she would have learned about community and family loyalty, learned resilience, learned to be careful with money, learned “waste not want not”, learned to value integrity and honesty – values and qualities which she carried with her throughout her life. And values which have sustained her through 2 sad bereavements.

June had 2 younger brothers –Graham and Raymond. While sadly they have now passed away, their spouses – Alex and Ann – have kept in touch with June over the years and they have been good soulmates

While the changes during the period of June’s life have been massive, those values and qualities just mentioned are still needed. Their importance hasn’t changed. In fact you could argue that they are more important than ever.

A neighbour has described her as “feisty, brutally honest with a hilarious sense of humour” – qualities which usually stand you in good stead.

June apparently was skilled at riding a pig which the family kept on the smallholding which went with her father’s job. Whether or not that skill would have been useful in later life, could be debated. But the humour is there.

A stray WW2 bomb fell on her childhood home, which forced a relocation to Huxley. The bomb would have been quite a freakish thing to happen. Later after marrying Peter they were living in Calveley.

Significantly, June has expressed the wish that her ashes be scattered in the Bickerton Hills – they are not far from Calveley or Tattenhall.

Just like her rock solid values, her tastes and habits have remained simple and unpretentious all her life. She was not on the treadmill wanting to outdo – be smarter or richer or more showy than – the next person.

Not to say she didn’t want to look her best. She had an artistic flair. For example, she had aspired when younger to be an actress. She appreciated the natural beauty of the countryside. All this taps into a dimension of life which speaks of transcendent qualities. There is more to beauty than just what is in the eye of the beholder.

Between 1967 and 2002 June was living in Elworth. She married Donald, her second husband, in 1973. For a short while the house was very full with the new grafted-on family – all credit to June who worked hard to hold it all together.

June and Donald had a good life together – dancing and socialising in The British Legion not forgetting the Bingo, and holidays in places like Blackpool, Llandudno, or the Gower Peninsula, and further afield in Italy and Spain.

Walking at night to the British Legion was an occasion for some amusement for daughter Mandy. Apparently June believed there was a real risk of treading on a frog, so a torch was an essential part of the journey. Save a frog, I guess.

Donald’s passing 13 years ago was a sad blow. Life in Kestrel Drive could never be the same, but June has been living near her son Tim, who has been there to assist in everyday affairs, reciprocating all the love and support she has given him over the years. Anna, Tim’s former partner, has been kind to June also. But all the TV Soaps came nowhere near filling the gap left by Donald’s passing. One regret has been not learning to drive. She did start learning, but a lesson with Pete ended in a bit of a tiff, and that was it!

She has been a good neighbour in the cul-de-sac, and she has given and received friendship and support. Undoubtedly, the last 2 years have been quite tough, especially I think the last 4-5 months.

Alongside her qualities and commitment, June possessed intelligence. If she could live her life again now, she would probably have gone to university. She may have had the break into acting which she craved as a young person, but which through circumstance never came her  way. Her ability coupled with that resilience and feistiness mentioned before, quoting a neighbour, could have gone places. Her life may have then had a further dimension of fulfilment.

Now it all falls to her beloved grandson Kristian, who used to sit on the couch with her and caress her hand as she did his, to take up the baton she has thrown to him as he prepares for a career in biological engineering. Although she never herself had a working career, she believed in a work ethic and has bequeathed that to her children, and now she invites Kristian to live by the same work ethic.

June has been quite philosophical about the approaching end of her life – as you would expect from a lady with her values, qualities and background. It is lovely to report that her grandson Kristian and son Tim were at her bedside shortly before she passed away.

In the cycle of the seasons there is death, and there is renewal and new life. There is always light and warmth at the end of every dreary dark and cold winter.

Now she leaves memories of a loving mum, grandmother, and caring friend.   Love has an eternal aspect. A million love songs tell you that. Love is stronger than death and in that strong love those who love June can hope to see her again.

A service to celebrate June’s life will take place on Wednesday 10th August at 11.30am in the Crematorium Chapel in Crewe.

For any further information please call our funeral home on 01270 584447.