Auntie Jean was a lady who always busy, at least that's how I remember her as a young lad spending Saturdays and holidays at Granny Payne's; painting the yard walls with a big brush and a large bucket of water, turning the heavy mangle to squeeze the water out of the washing before there were spin washing machines, climbing the apple tree and eventually cutting it down. Auntie Jean would appear at lunch time in her Morris 1000 scuttling in for lunch and off again to the office in no time at all. When she wasn't working she was practising her shorthand at an alarming rate of knots or organising her music for another choir practice. Often she was running late and being encouraged by Granny Payne and Auntie Betty to get a move on or she'd miss the trolley bus that ran past the end of the road. Always there was an amazing embroidery on the go, exquisite detail and beautiful colours of silk thread being applied to some cushion cover or tray cloth.On Sunday it was off to church to sing in the choir. Auntie Jean made records with her choir. How cool was that for a young lad to know someone who had cut a record!!
Auntie Jean loved her independence and she loved to talk about all sorts of things. One subject would lead to another until we sometimes forgot where the conversation started,but there were plenty of laughs! In the days of no central heating we often enjoyed Sunday afternoon huddled around the fire keeping warm with mum's home bakes and something brought from Mr Noble's grocery shop or Mrs Cowin's sweetie shop...usually cream line toffees! Auntie Jean entered the high tech world when she swapped her Dansette record player for one of Sir Alan Sugar's first hi fi systems with sliding controls and big speakers...we listened to her Jim Reeves box set marvelling at the sound quality. I'd like to remember Auntie Jean for her uniqueness. She was her own person, well able to ignore the things she didn't want to hear and able to find pleasure in the things she enjoyed doing. She made us laugh but she never took offence when we teased her. She enjoyed life for many years and her spirit was still pressing to do things long after age had robbed her of the ability to do those things. Now her earthly journey is complete and her new life has begun. The blessed hope for all who in this life,like Auntie Jean surrender control of their lives to the maker of Heaven and Earth and reach out and take hold of that Grace that has the power to transform every life.
Auntie Jean, your will be missed.
Rest in Peace - John,Jacqui, Corrine, Esther and Tim Payne
Monday 08 February 2016
John Payne - youngest nephew!