Jill Wendy Wood (27 Feb 1947 - 24 Feb 2023)

Jill was a loving daughter to her mother Bertha. In Bertha’s later years, Jill devoted much of her time to looking after her mother, as she lived alone having seen two husbands sadly pass away. Her first husband, George, was Jill’s father who passed away when Jill was only four.

Jill was a loving sibling to her two sisters June and Jackie who have always remained close throughout their lives. Sadly, Jill’s older sister June passed away last year, but the family has very fond memories of all the past Christmas dinners that Jill and June used to take it in turns to prepare, and all the other family get-togethers. Jill’s family would like to thank her younger sister, Jackie, for being a great support during the final months of Jill’s life.

Jill was a loving Grandmother to her five grandchildren Craig, Laura, Stacey, Asley and Jade, and four great grandchildren. They have been the source of many a fun moment. Such as the time Jill emerged from the Pickering train station ticket office, only to find Alan trying to free their 5-year-old grandson Craig’s head from a picket fence that he had decided to stick it through. I’m sure Alan can remember the telling-off he received from Jill, having been given strict instructions to keep a close eye on Craig. Needless to say, Jill played a big part in all of her grandchildren and great grandchildren’s lives and they will all miss her very much.

Finally, we come to Jill’s immediate family. Jill was a devoted and loving wife to her husband Alan. Last year they celebrated 58 years of marriage having shared many loving and happy times along the way. Throughout their lives, the two have been inseparable and completely dedicated to each other, no matter what life has thrown at them. A love that Alan will carry with him always.

Jill was a devoted and loving mother to her two sons, Stephen and Mark. To them, she has been a source of love, guidance and friendship throughout their lives. And in their eyes, no mother could ever have given more. Mark and Tracey particularly remember taking Jill on many shopping trips for days out.

When her sons had grown up and left home, another love of Jill’s life became her pet dogs. Over the years Jill owned three dachshunds in total, which were her favourite breed, named Mitch, Sam and later Sam number two.

She loved her pet dogs so much that her grand-children, Stacey, Ashley and Jade, children of her son Mark and wife Tracey, always referred to Jill as Nana Mitch. This is how they affectionately refer to Jill when talking to her great grand-children Oliver, Isabelle, Ivy and Hunter. Jill always looked forward to visits from her grand & great grandchildren and kept a basket of soft cuddly dog toys for them to play with

Jill was a completely unselfish person, having dedicated all her life to her family. She worked hard throughout her life, having first worked as a Credit Controller over a period of 27 years. First working for Jones Stroud Textiles and later for Long Eaton Printers Ltd. A skill that she applied to managing all of the family household accounts. I’m sure that Alan would agree that Jill had a tight control of the family finances.

All this whilst bringing up two sons and supporting a husband who worked a mornings, afternoons and nights shift-rota for many years. In her later years she worked as a shop assistant for the Co-Op and then as receptionist for a Veterinary Hospital.

Jill had a strong independent character who could turn her hand to anything. She was an accomplished DIY enthusiast often spending her time painting and hanging wallpaper in the family home. Throughout their married life, Jill and Alan shared a passion for gardening. Alan would look after growing the vegetables, while Jill loved to grow flowers. She would often take visiting family members around her flower garden explaining what all the different plants were and giving gardening advice to anyone who wanted it.

Another of Jill and Alan’s shared past times was playing cards. Throughout their life they would often get together with friends for a card night whilst sharing food and drink. A past-time that they kept going with their son Stephen and his wife Sally. Stephen and Sally recall many happy nights at their family homes enjoying an evening takeaway followed by laughing and joking around a game of cards, which often became quite competitive.

Another one of Jill’s past-times was Country & Western line dancing. Jill and her granddaughter Laura, used to be part of a line dancing group, that met every week to practice, and over time the group became close friends. The group even put on a few demonstrations at local summer festivals, dressed in their Country & Western outfits.

As you can see, Jill lived a full and happy life, surrounded by a family that loved her very much. She leaves behind a massive hole in all their lives that will be impossible to fill. But they can all take solace from all the happy memories that have been created over that lifetime and give thanks for being part of that journey.