Jane Edith Hallam (5 Aug 1944 - 29 Oct 2016)

I have lost my ultimate best and true friend in life. You cannot put the feeling of loss into words.

There now exists a wide empty void.

I try each day to do something new to fill it but each spare moment and every morning it is there waiting.

Jane
Many of you will be aware of the opening line from one of the songs in The Sound of Music – ‘How do we solve a problem like Maria?’ and we have a similar problem here this afternoon –‘How do we solve a problem like Jane?’ and it is a very real problem as we struggle to do justice to her life in such a short period. A life so full and vital, a life that was lived, a life full of so many emotions, how do we start to do justice to such life? Well, in the first instance it is to Jane herself we must turn for inspiration. One of her great strengths was the invitations, the welcome she extended to so many people, ‘come and see’ she would say, ‘come and see what I’ve been doing, come and see what I’ve made, come and see what I’ve brought, just come and see.’ And so, through Jane I want to invite you now to come and join, come and share, come and share all of those wonderful memories you have of her. I’ve known her for just nine years. Many of you will have known her for much longer but that does not matter, come and bring all of those memories and put them with what I have to say and make a rich mix, as rich as the cakes she made, (and she was a tremendous cook) and that way we will get somewhere near to solving our problem here this afternoon and doing justice to the life of Jane. Come and see….
Jane was born towards the end of World War Two. She was nomadic in those early days before ending up in one of the new houses built in St. Michael’s Close. In 1949 she started school in a Nissan Hut which had two characteristics, one an outside loo and two, it abutted a field which was occupied by a bull. Should not have been a problem accept Jane had a red cardigan and was terrified of going the loo! 1951 was to be a milestone in Jane’s life although at that time it didn’t really register. She moved to the new St. Michael’s Primary School where there was a young man call Ged. However, according to Ged, this made little difference because they were in different classes. But chance, or was it fate, meant they both went on to the Robert Pattinson School and they passed in the corridor. However it was in that place where so many relationships flourish, the local youth club, that things really started to move! Jane had been successful at school leaving with a clutch of ‘O’ levels and worked at the National Provincial Bank and things progressed from the youth club to a Bank ‘bit of a do’ and, to use Ged’s words, ‘we sort of rolled on from there.’ They were married in 1967 and moved straight to Whitby where they lived in a third floor flat and they made many friends there. It was quite hard for Jane going up and down three flights of stairs but when they next moved it was to a house with four flights of stairs! Jane supported Ged in his business and presented him with two children, Catherine and David. You will know they ended up in Hallmark House which was to be their home for the next 39 years.
Jane was a people person and I can hear her again urging us ‘what have you got to tell me then’, ‘what’s the news’ or even ‘what’s the gossip!’ None of this was malicious, she genuinely was interested in people and how she could help them. She was a great problem solver, people would pour out their hearts to her, she had a great listening ear and if it was a technical problem the call went up ‘GED! Ged will sort it out for you!’ I heard it said that Jane wanted to be a missionary but was unsuccessful. I believe that Jane, in her own way, was very much a true missionary. So many facets to Jane’s character, Jane the welcome, Jane the wife and mother in those early years, Jane the missionary and then Jane the encourager. ‘Oh go on, have you tried this, it’s really good’ or ‘go on, treat yourself’ and that encouragement extended even to match making, ‘go on, I’ve got just the girl for you!’ When I first met Jane some nine years ago it was when I came to cover Roland’s holiday. He said could you do the 8.30 and the 10.00 somebody will provide you with breakfast. Jane was at the 8.30 and she said ‘you’re coming to us for breakfast, I do the full monty!’ When I replied I was a diabetic and would only need a cup of coffee she said ‘so am I and it’s never worried me!’
We need to understand that Jane was a great character, a great wit but also a great worker. She was immersed in the life of this Church; joining the PCC, becoming Treasurer and then Church Warden alongside Frank Hopkins. That gave her a problem simply because Frank had been her headmaster and could she really call him Frank? Of course she could and she did. The priest here at that time was John Jacobs and in a message to Peter Carlsson John said ‘the world was a better place because Jane was in it’. Church life was full and hectic, Sunday Services, House Groups Meetings and social events, you name it Jane was there. Outside the parameters of the Church she included the village in her life, prompter for the Waddington Dramatic Society and her last social position was Secretary for Sharon’s Christmas Dinner Group. As I’ve said she was a great cook (Pat Carlsson speaks of the largest lemon meringue pie she has ever seen), knitter (Ged said I wish she would get silencers for her needles) she was an avid reader, she loved shopping and racing around Sainsbury’s on her mobility scooter and so it goes on.
In amongst all of this she continued to be a wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother and holidays were taken in the camper van to Arran, Skye and many trips closer to home. They also went to Disney Land Paris but not in the Camper van!
There is, of course, much, more and this is where Jane’s invitation for you to use your memories will come in when we have a moment in the silence shortly but first I need to return to the complex character that was and is Jane. Jane was devoted to Ged and her children Catherine and David and she was dealt a body blow when Catherine died of cancer at the age of just 33. In one way she never recovered from that tragedy and perhaps it was the underlying cause for many of Jane’s own illness but you would never have known. She went on living her life, loving the grandchildren and being the Jane that you loved, laughed and cried with or, perhaps, the Jane who irritated you but the Jane you could not ignore.
Ged has asked me to thank you all for the sharing such love and support with him and it is to Ged that I need to leave the last words. He simply said ‘she was a great lass, thank you Jane for your support’. I don’t think I can add to that and so we respond to her invitation, come in and share, as we share our memories of Jane in a moments quiet with your God……….
…….and so we give thanks to God for the life of Jane, have we succeeded in doing justice to her life here on earth? Possibly not but as we approach this time of Christmas I leave you with God’s promise to us all expressed in Charles Welsley’s great carol ‘mild he lays his glory by, born that man no more may die, born to raise the sons of earth born to give them second birth’. Charles Wesley knew nothing about politically correct language but I know I can say ‘born that Jane no more may die, born to give her second birth’. We give thanks for that second birth she is experiencing now in the arms of our heavenly Father. Amen

Lily Marshall - Hi Jed sorry to here that Jane has gone she sadly missed .Jed if you go on the eyepad i will try to talk to you i will miss talking to Jane with love from Lily marshall. Of canvey essex xxxxxxxx

Jenny West - Very sorry to hear this sad news. I met Jane at slimming world and have great memories of a wonderful lady. Recently I was diagnosed with copd and Jane contacted me to offer some advice - which I am eternally grateful for as my doctor and consultant told me very little practical information. May she rest in peace and just to let you know I'm thinking of you all at this sad time x

Clare Pattison - Sending love and prayers to all the family at this sad time. Thank you for your letter and for letting us all know. Xx

Beverley Broome - Jane was a beautiful woman both inside and out and will be sorely missed by all who knew her. Rest peacefully Jane until we all meet again

Imogen Reid - We will miss you. Xxxxx

Isabelle Paterson - Rest peacefully Jane. You will be sorely missed x

Julie Anne Blakesley - So sorry to hear this sad news. Thinking of you all. We knew Jane, through Waddington Dramatic Society. She was such a lovely person. Julie and Keith Blakesley.xxx

Hayley Sowerby - so very very sorry she was such a beautiful lady ❤️

Hilary Crookes - So very sorry to hear this sad news,i worked with Jane at the Bank,she was a lovely lady

Vickie Watson - So sorry to hear this sad news. Jane was a very special lady and was a good friend to me during our time together at Natwest. She will be missed by so many. Good night Jane, God bless. ?xx

Lynda Attridge - We are so shocked and saddened to hear about your loss, Jane was the most wonderful person you could wish to meet, Sending all our love to Ged and all the family. Please if you could let us know when the funeral is, we would much appreciate it. All our love Lynda and Keith xxxxx

Rachael Atkin - So sorry to hear this very sad news I met her at slimming world and she was such a lovely happy smiley chatty lady So so sad ?sending love to you all ❤️️

Laine Murless - I was so sorry to hear the news and was deeply touched that Ged let me last Sunday. In all Jane's life achievements I will always remember her hospitality with tea and cake when I popped round. My thoughts are with Ged and family.

Alison Wood - So sorry to hear this sad news. Jane was a great lady whom I worked with at Natwest. RIP Jane xx

Deborah Bakewell - Bryan Bakewell and I are so sorry to hear the news of Jane's demise. We were work colleagues of Jane, at NatWest

Richard Attridge - so shocked at the news such a strong kind lady ,saw good in each and everyone,and nout was ever too much hassle ,hope you are ok ged ,keep strong and see you soon richard and jenny

Karen Andrews - So sorry for your loss, Jane was a lovely lady who made time for everyone. RIP lovely lady ?

Moira Blackstock - Shocked to read of Jane's death. We will miss her on ASOC rallies, sending love and condolences to Ged and family. Moira and Allan Blackstock

Jane Benson X

Brian Oldfield - A lovely lady dies. Kind thoughts to Ged, David and family. xx

Kathryn Anne Rowe - Oh I'm so sorry to hear this, Jane was a lovely lady we enjoyed sharing funny stories about children over the few years I knew her, my thoughts are with all her family. God bless Jane xxx

Marie Washbrook - I'm very shocked & sad to read this, have known Jane for many years, I first met Jane when her Dad arrived at the home I worked in & she used to visit him regularly & when Fred passed away we maintained our friendship! RIP Jane together again with your Dad, Mum & Catherine. Jane had a heart of gold :) xx

Abigail Hill - Oh dear have just seen this, how very sad, lovely lady and her Dad Fred was a pleasure to nurse x

Anne Carratt - Jane, my best friend. Will miss you alway. Ged we will always be there for you and Lofty. X

Sally Turk - I have just heard about this. Such sad sad news. Jane was such a kind, lovely lady Thoughts are with your familyx

Suzanne Cole - So sorry to hear this sad news. Jane was a remarkable lady who had a very kind heart, it was a true pleasure to have known her. May you rest in peace, my thoughts are with your family & I send them my love xxx

Justine Rolfe - Shocked & saddened to read this news about Jane, have lit a candle and left a message. My thoughts are with you all xxxx

Anna Duke - So sorry for your loss xx

Rachel Turner - Such a lovely, kind lady gone too soon. Thinking of you all xxx

Tania Wright - Back with your beautiful Daughter Catherine I miss you both so much thinking of you all xxxxx lots of love me and my boys

So pleased to have known Jane & will always remember her helping in church. She will be greatly missed.

Jane was such a wonderful friend to all our family always, and best friend and wonderful support to Jean and John - we have some lovely memories of her x

A super,caring person

My very best and trusted friend, I miss you already x

I shall always remember the bacon butties!! Thank you

A lovely lady. Love her lots x

A wonderful lady

Long memories good!!

The BEST. You don't realise just how much you love someone until you lose them. Rest in Peace. xx

Always made me feel welcomed, thank you Jane, I'll miss the boozy tiramisu & sloe gin!! Always in my mind x

A lovely mother-in-law to me. So many fond memories. Thank you for the support Jane. Will miss you x

A lovely lady and a dear friend

Goodbye and Farewell to a truly wonderful lady, your words of wisdom have been a great strength to me over the years.