Marjorie Jane Millard, nee Berry, died suddenly on 26th July and her funeral took place on Monday, 7th July at St Andrew's Church, Chew Magna, Somerset.
Marjorie, or Jane as she chose to be known when she was grown up, was a pupil of Rose Hill County Primary School in the 1950s, going on to Marple Hall Grammar School in its first entry in 1960. In her teens the family relocated to Southsea, Hants., where she completed her education by going to agricultural college.
She subsequently married a farmer and went to live in Chew Magna, where she took up spinning and was a stalwart of the Avon Guild of Spinners, Weavers and Dyers. She wrote a regular column for the local paper and was an active supporter of the RNLI.
The church was full to capacity, with standing room only, for her funeral last Monday, showing how many lives she had touched and how sadly she will be missed. As one of the Guild members said "Jane was a very enthusiatic person who loved to share her skills and promote our Guild. She took pleasure in going to schools and shows, encouraging children in craft with the use of sheep yarn, etc. She will be sorely missed." Others spoke of her sense of humour, her kindness, her generosity, her unselfishness and her ability to think the best of everyone.
She leaves her husband, Bruce, her daughter, Sarah, who lives and works in Manchester, her son, Sam and her mother, Ethel.
"It is not what you have gathered but what you have scattered, that tells what kind of life you have lived"
She was my oldest friend and I will miss her.