Llanishen Methodist Church						Melbourne Road, Llanishen,
						Cardiff CF14 5NH
space
Home	Minister	Services	Activities	Rotas	People	Organ	Our History	Churches Together	Links & Contacts
People Index
All content © Llanishen Methodist Church Cardiff 2006 - 2009
spacer
Jean Wilkie Died  in UHW on Tuesday September 22nd 2009

		WILKIE Jean Peacefully following a short illness Jean passed away in the University Hospital of Walesbon September 22nd 2009 aged 86 years, loving wife of the late Jimmy, mother of Susan, mother-in-law of Martin and Nan to Holly and Richard. Funeral service will take place on Friday October 2nd at 3.15 in Llanishen Methodist Church, followed by committal in the Briwant Chapel, Thornhill Crematorium at 4.30 pm. Family flowers only, donations to Llanishen Methodist Church, Restoration Fund. Donationas and all inquires to Green Willow Funearls, 33 St Isan Road, Heath Cardiff.
		GOTO TOP
Funeral service for Jean Gwendoline Wilkie October 2nd 2009 at Llanishen Methodist Church conducted by Rev Philip Drake Entry into church with sentences of scripture Hymn 437 "Guide me O Thou great Jehovah" Opening prayer Bible reading: 1 Peter 1.3-9 Tribute and Short Address Prayers of thanksgiving and intercession Hymn 705 "Take my life and let it be" Commendation and the Lord’s Prayer Blessing		We have come to mark the death of Jean Wilkie, who died a week last Tuesday at the age of 86. We come to grieve the loss of a dear family member and friend, and of someone we knew and respected. Jean was born in London in 1923 and here early years were spent growing up in the suburb of Barnes, along with her older sister Doris. Both her parents worked at Harrods, her mum as a seamstress and milliner, producing amongst other things hats for Lady Churchill. It was no surprise then when, as a young woman, a post was found at the world famous department store, as a photographer’s assistant. When war came, Jean and her family were caught up in the Blitz. A bomb actually landed on their house, exploding in the room next where Jean was sitting – and the sound of the explosion was the cause of Jean’s problems with hearing. Jean, the photographer’s assistant – obviously a professional through and through – insisted on taking a photograph of the bomb damage, although she was breaking the rules by doing so. In the war she joined the services – the ATS – and contributed to the war effort. On leaving the forces, she became a civil servant, which was a canny move, because it was whilst based at the Shepherd’s Bush tax office that she met and fell in love with Jimmy (who said that the tax office was a soulless place!) They married in 1949 and moved to Ruislip. Her first child was still born, and it was some time later in 1955 that Susan was born to the great joy of her parents. Susan wasn’t given a middle name – probably a reflection on the fact that Jean had a middle name which she could not stand – I’ve said it once, so it would be disrespectful to say it again. When Susan was perhaps 7 or 8 years old, Jean started working again in a variety of positions, including for Heinz foods. One of the perks of the jobs was bringing home some of the cans of soup, presumably they were damaged or unsaleable in some way. The only problem was they didn’t have any labels on – just a code that had to be cross checked against a printed list – which I guess had 57 different headings. In the early 1970s the family moved to from London to Cardiff where Jimmy had been appointed to a new job. It wasn’t an easy time to begin with. Susan found the move difficult, and Jimmy injured himself moving heavy boxes and furniture, so he ended up in hospital over in Llandough, whilst Jean did all the running around, including house hunting. It was at this time that Jean realised what a nuisance it was not being able to drive, so she took lessons and passed her test. Jean started work again, eventually ending up back as a civil servant as a clerical assistant in the tax office. Shortly after moving Susan met Martin, which was a bit of a shock to Jan and Jimmy, given that Martin was a typical young man of the seventies with hair down his back – although you wouldn’t believe it from his look today. The second shock was when they announced that they were getting married when Susan was just 19 years old. The wedding was held here at this church where by this time Jean and Jimmy had settled upon as the church for them, although I remember Jean telling me that some pressure had been put onthem to attend the larger church at Cyncoed. Nevertheless they made their choice and I know that Jean was very happy here, and became involved in the Women’s Fellowship and the different activities of the church. She was always very keen on the project to renew the buildings and it is with bittersweetness that although she saw the work completed she was not able to take part in the celebration and dedication events planned for this coming weekend. Retirement came for Jean and Jimmy in the early 80s. and a new stage of their life began, especially with the arrival of grandchildren Holly born 1983 and Richard in 1986. Jean was on standby to look after the two of them, and when Susan returned to work, she would meet them in the car park as Asdas. Jean was very proud of the two of you – of Holly’s qualification as a doctor, and Richard keeping up the family tradition of working at the tax office! Time in retirement was spent gardening, knitting and cross-stitch, with various holidays both here in the UK, including Scotland, and abroad. One trip to France included a trip to the Renault factory (don’t ask) and the rather more romantic setting of a short voyage across the channel on the QE2 – an ocean experience Jean had craved for ever since seeing the liners at Southampton in her younger days. She also ventured to the States with Susan, although Susan wouldn’t recommend her as a travelling companion on an aeroplane – not because she was nervous traveller, but because of way she taunted Susan, who was – ‘Did you feel that’ she would say with every jolt and bump – ‘It felt as if the wing was coming off.’ Jimmy’s death came as a big shock to Jean, despite being aware of her husband’s heart trouble. But slowly she learnt to adapt and adjust to a new phase of life. In a sense, Susan became closer to her mum, calling in most days from work for her lunch. Jean’s own death came quite suddenly and unexpectedly, although she had been experiencing some discomfort. Taken into hospital last Tuesday morning, she slipped away later that same day, with members of her family at her side. We will all remember Jean as a sociable and friendly person. She wasn’t one for the spotlight. She didn’t make a fuss or moan about things, but she was a generous and kind-hearted person. She was a good wife, mother and grandmother – and a good cook. We will all miss her but we will remember her with much fondness. I hope that you will also find some comfort in the words of scripture which we have heard today. In that passage from the first letter of Peter, two things stand out for me. One is the confidence of that comes through faith. Jean’s faith was very important to her. She spent a lifetime in the church, growing and maturing in her faith. I am sure that her faith helped her through times of difficulty and even in the face of suffering – won’t it then be a support for us in the suffering of shock and grief that is our experience at the current time. But Jean’s faith would also have been a cause for rejoicing; even in this time of loss we might find cause for joy as we give thanks for Jeans’ life and the privilege of knowing her. The other point I want to highlight from the scriptures is that those verses look forward with a great sense of anticipation to the life to come. The Christian faith is one of hope, given to us by Christ who was dead but raised to new life. The promise laid before us is of an even more glorious life with God in heaven Occasionally here at Llanishen we hold what we call a ‘songs of Praise’ service. In this service, members of the congregation are invited to choose a favourite hymn or a hymn which is special to them. For one such service Jean suggested a couple of hymns – and she took time to briefly note down why they were special to her. One of them was a hymn I didn’t know from the old Methodist Hymn book, but which was obviously very familiar and meaningful to Jean, especially in her younger days. I would like to finish by reading some lines from that hymn because it seems to sum up what the scripture says. These were words which spoke to Jean, and I hope they speak to everyone here today in our grieving: We love the word of life, The word that tells of peace, Of comfort in the strife And joys that never cease. We love to sing below Of mercies freely given; But O we long to know The triumph song in heaven. Lord Jesus, give us grace, On earth to love Thee more, In heaven to see Thy face, And with Thy saints adore. Amen.
		GOTO TOP