I met Jean way back, on the school run when my eldest was in reception. We clicked straight away, same age with so much in common, except I was so disorganised it infuriated her. Suffice to say, Jean soon helped to put organisation in my life ha. I had my elderly parents living with me and she helped me so much. They adored her and her kids and loved the time she spent in our house. She always had time for them and when my mum became more disabled she help me with her care. Jean was my rock when I lost both of them within 2 years of each other, I honestly don’t have any idea what I’d have done without her and am eternally grateful. We shared many a boozy night, her with her Bacardi and me with my vodka, sometimes until the very early hours and one of us would stagger back to our house and meet the milkman on the way home. It helped that we lived in the same road as we didn’t have far to go. Days out with the kids were fun and my kids adored her too ( they knew how far they could go before they’d be in trouble ha) Over the years we didn’t see as much of each other as we would have liked, she was always so busy doing a job she loved, life sometimes just gets in the way, but when we met up it would be like we saw each other yesterday and we would just pick up where we left off. Jean was so proud of her grandchildren and would talk of them every opportunity, they made her so very happy. When she talked of her children, grandchildren, her job, the people she worked with, her friends, her charity work, her carrying the Olympic torch, you could see how much she loved her life and what she did. She was totally dedicated to everything she did and the support everyone received was incomparable. We all know Jean didn’t suffer fools gladly but if you needed her she would fight your corner with everything she could. I’m so happy to have called Jean my friend and so very sad that we won’t see each other again, but she will always be in my heart and I treasure my memories RIP my irreplaceable friend, till we meet again Love always Cathy ( Chatty) xx