Jane was one of our longest standing family friends. We moved to the Bury Farm in Hertingfordbury in about 1972 when I was about to turn 6, and my sister was a year older. My mother was housekeeper to Mrs Maitland who owned the farm then, and Jane was the live in carer for Mrs Maitland's daughter Joanna, who was paraplegic. Jane and Jo lived in the stables which had been converted into a fully wheelchair accessible bungalow. Both Jane and Joanna were so friendly and welcoming, and we all hit it off immediately. It must have been a great comfort for mum to have found new friends so quickly and near to home. Mum used to go over to theirs for painting lessons, and me and my sister would often go over and hang out with them or for sleepovers! I remember eating strawberries and cream in the summer, and playing with their little dogs Hansel and Thumbelina (Hansie and Thumbie).
We moved to the outskirts of Hertford a couple of years later after the farm was sold, and Jane moved to a flat in Epcombs after Joanna's death a few years later. After Epcombs was sold, Jane moved three doors down fro mum's, and they would have fish and chips together every Friday evening, which mum would fetch from the chippy at Sele Farm. Our mother died very unexpectedly in 2019, and Jane missed her terribly.
When you lose your mum, anyone who you go back a long time with is an enormous comfort, and my sister and I both found this with Jane. When we were sorting out mum's house to sell it, we had to sell the family piano which was quite a big deal as I'd learnt on it. On mother's day, Jane and I sat in the conservatory eating biscuits and drinking coffee while a young man played beautifully on it before buying it. It made a cherished memory of a very painful time for me.
Rest In Peace dear Jane.
Catherine Willmore
02/03/2026
