Jan and I were 11 years old when we went to Ealing Grammar School for Girls. We were friends all through school and in those years Jan studied ballet while I had ballroom lessons. We loved music, clothes, fashion, makeup, all the usual important teenage things!

We always seemed to get along and many years later Jan remarked that we’d never had a disagreement. That’s not to say we always agreed but had great discussions and loved each other’s company. Jan loved Opera, me not so much but I did say one time that I liked Andrea Bocelli – Jan scoffed at this and said he was very overrated! We laughed and I could always rely on Jan to say just what she felt and I’m sure I did the same.

One Summer at the end of our fifth year we worked in the Walls Factory packing bacon and both agreed not something to repeat the following year!

After college we shared a flat in Twickenham. Had some really good parties and that’s where I met my husband, Nick. At that time we both worked for the Central Office of Information interviewing passengers at Heathrow Airport, a job we both enjoyed.

Both of us, like many of our college contemporaries, knew we wanted to travel. Jan went to the Canary Islands and I travelled to Toronto, Canada. We obviously met our soulmates and now, after more than 50 years of marriage, we considered we’d had interesting and diverse lives.

It’s difficult to explain a great and long friendship but I know we both enjoyed the chats, witty repartee and lately politics on both sides of the Pond.

I will miss you my dear friend for ever and when that time comes, we can continue our friendship in the future. For now I have and will enjoy many wonderful memories, so Rest In Peace ….
Love Jennie (and Nick)

Jennie Barnes (Keeble)

I will miss my dear friend Jan in many ways. Our days out on the golf course playing erratic golf; warm evenings in the garden gossiping over a glass or two of wine; going for long walks to her beloved gardens, – Wisley, Painshill, and Savill Gardens.

She was fun, brave, and uncomplaining and will be very much missed.

Sandy Roberts

Jan was more than a dearly loved sister-she was my best friend and her passing will leave a huge hole in my life.
Having had the sad task of notifying so many of you of her passing I took great comfort from the wonderful expressions of love and appreciation for her friendship -kind generous,supportive and humourous were words I heard so many times.I knew she would have loved this-she didn’t want us to talk about her career successes at her funeral but to share memories and humerous recollections.To her what was most important was family and friends.

In the three and a half years since she was diagnosed I was so proud of the way she handled every treatment and every disappointing consultation. She bore all with fortitude ,courage and optimism and a renewed commitment to the fight against the dreadful disease that is cancer.
But the last few years have also been full of wonderful shared experiences and memory making as,Until lockdown struck,we tried to pack in as much as we could. From many visits to Covent garden to indulge our shared love of opera , a flying lesson,a charity walk and numerous visits to the coast and countryside we did it all.

I have cherished memories of many of these-the training for the charity walk when we invariably got lost but always ensured there was a pub on route for a reviving G and T ,the trip to a National Trust property when I fell over and ended up covered from head to foot in mud and Jan trying so hard to cover her laughter; and a trip to the Grange Opera festival when we picnicked in the grounds on a sublime summer evening ,consumed large quantities of Peke’s excellent wine but don’t ask me about the opera as its rather a blur!
Fabulous memories and I so wish we had had time to make many more but it wasn’t to be.
Rest In Peace Jan

Amanda Willis

I will miss her friendship of over 30 years, and taking long walks with my dog Teddy and Roxy when she was staying wtih Jan. I will also miss our lovely lunches which always started with Jan introducing me to a new flavoured gin and tonic. She will be much missed.

Cass Naylor

Dear Jan
You will always be fondly remembered.
your golfing friend,

Jane Broomfield
X

Jan was a wonderful friend to me for more than 50 years – she really was a very special person
She was always so very kind and thoughtful to everyone and will be greatly missed by everyone.
I will always remember her great love of flowers and how she would describe the many beautiful
gardens and parks that she she visited so often
A few weeks ago the sun shone unexpectedly and I decided to escape from my year of shielding and sit in her garden for a couple of hours with her .As the sun moved round and we were in the shade it was chilly but we sat and chatted and laughed ……….
This is now a precious memory
Dear Jan , you will always be in my heart and in my thoughts
Rest in peace my dear friend

Diane Edmond

Our dearest Jan
Always thoughtful and kind. We never forget her kindness, patiently teaching me to drive, guiding me through my pregnancies and advising me to do my pelvic floor exercises. How I wish I’d listened!!
We remember the times, she had our strays (her nephews) when out of genuine kindness she always stated, ‘They’ve been no trouble’ whilst looking like she’d been drawn through a hedge.
Hosting family gatherings- nothing was too much for our Jan. She was the glue to our extended family. She will be sorely missed not only as an aunt but also an adopted mum for Gisele.

Justin Flack

Jan and I met 58 years ago as students at College in Ealing. After college we both went on to have families but re-united a few years later when quite by chance we discovered we were living just 100 metres apart. From then on we spent some memorable days visiting gardens (Jan’s love of flowers is well known) We went to Trebah, Highgrove, Exbury, Kew, Wisley,Ventnor and many other places. I will miss our countryside walks, visits to gardens, having a laugh but most of all I will miss Jan.

Frances Homewood

Dear Jan,
You will always be fondly rememberd.
Our Golfing holidays in Spain with Mick.
Wonderful memories.
Love Margaret. xx

Margaret Carruthers

It’s a privilege to say I’ve known Jan for over 30 years. We met through work at Heathrow Airport and as soon as I discovered that wicked sense of humour I knew we would be friends for life. We began learning golf around the same time and would play every Saturday morning at 7.30am on the promise of a big cooked breakfast at the 19th hole. Jan introduced me to many things – fine red wine (had to be Spanish!), gin & tonic, Alan Ackbourne plays and posh London restaurants. I have many happy memories of Jan and am really going to miss her. Rest in peace my golf buddy.

Helen Allaway

Jan and I started playing golf in Roquetas, Spain. When the others in the group were playing golf we decided to have some lessons from the very good looking and charming Spanish professional, and caught the golf bug. Since then we had many enjoyable games at Puttenham and other local clubs. Jan and I also shared a love of opera, ballet, Tapas and a good gin and tonic.
I can’t quite believe Jan has gone, she was so brave in her fight with cancer.
Rest in Peace Jan. X

Tricia Roberts

I first met Jan at the David Lloyd Gym in Weybridge, a group of us would have coffee afterwards and put
the world to rights.I the moved to London and continued to see the group and started going to the Almedia theatre. We always had a post cup of tea discussion about the play and actors. I only knew Jan
for about fifteen years but she became a good friend. I always enjoyed her stories about life at the airport. like everyone else I will miss her very much.

Jean Irwin

I have known Jan for many years and became close
when I took up golf. She showed enormous patience when I ignored her advice.
We went for wonderful walks around Virginia Water, Wisley,Painshill Park, Claremont Gardens, all the time chatting away and sorting the world. Jan was such good company; a wonderful, caring friend. I will miss her , I’m grateful for all the fond memories we made.
With love, Liz x

Liz Green

Jan – What a real privilege it is to have enjoyed your friendship over many decades. Firstly finding a ‘kindred artistic spirit’ in a fraught work environment, so supportive, & full of practical advice always delivered with your special sense of humour! Then, in retirement, so many Lovely days shared in your great generous hearted company in beautiful gardens, art galleries & The V& A, your favourite! Nights out at the opera too, followed by a meal with Peke & Adrian sharing the jokes at a lively tapas bar, or in chinatown! Thank you for all these special memories to be cherished now.

Jean Virgoe

Jan and I started our friendship having golf lessons at Puttenham. Jan already had a wealth of knowledge about golf etiquette which she imparted to me for which I am very grateful for. We had lots of lovely days on golf course and in spikes bar having coffee before our round. She was always in charge of dressing up on golf course – one of her Xmas outfits in pic. We shared many stories and shared each other’s joy on arrival of grandchildren and sadness when we lost pets. Jan was so supportive when I had difficult times. Jan you will be missed.

Sue Vincent