How sad to say a final farewell to you Judy. Since you’ve been ‘promoted’ (to steal an expression from another dear old friend, now departed), the best that all of us who now miss you are able to do, instead of actually sharing some time in the warmth of your company, is to recollect with fondness, those times now passed, when we enjoyed your extraordinary presence, and your ever loyal friendship. Your irrepressible enthusiasm for life never left you. It’s is no better summed up than by the occasion, not quite a year ago, when despite the fact that you were rather incapacitated, you were really, really keen to get onto the back of a motorbike to go for a spin. It was all I could do to persuade you otherwise. I will copy the following lines onto the back of your photo. Let me but live my life from year to year, With forward face and unreluctant soul; Not hurrying to, nor turning from the goal: Not mourning for the things that disappear In the dim past, nor holding back in fear From what the future veils; but with a whole And happy heart that pays its toll To Youth and Age, and travels on with cheer. Taken from a poem by Henry van Dyke called “Life” I’ll not forget you Judy

Having heard the news just yesterday, I am so saddened to hear of Judy's passing. But she would not have wanted me to dwell on that bit of information for long! Jude was nanny to my brother Ben and me for 14yrs, she lived at our home in Bristol and was a huge role in the formative years of my life, when I was aged 6 to 20. She was always so positive, upbeat, kind, thoughtful, loving and immensely patient - something that must have been extremely difficult at times, looking back on the boy I was! The stories of her childhood, growing up, the War, her business ventures, dogs! (she had Simba and Sheba when she first started with us), meeting her friends when they came to visit and the thousands of delicious meals - and her constant support and care! And lessons in manners - it was Jude that taught me that a gentleman never asked a lady her age! :) We lost touch after I moved to the USA 18yrs ago, we only saw each other a couple of times since then - but I kept her in my prayers over the years and frequently thought of her fondly. I hope that she knows how grateful I am for her presence and love as I grew up, I hope that she would be proud of the man and father I have grown up to be and I will continue to keep her in my thoughts. God bless you Jude, thank you for all you did!

WEEP NOT FOR ME Weep not for me though I have gone Into that gentle night Grieve if you will, but not for long Upon my soul’s sweet flight I am at peace, my soul’s at rest There is no need for tears For with your love I was so blessed For all those many years There is no pain, I suffer not The fear is now all gone Put now these things out of your thoughts In your memory, I live on Remember not my fight for breath Remember not the strife Please do not dwell upon my death But celebrate my life Love you always, Sarah-Jane, Terry, Jasmine & Bob, Boscastle, Cornwall (and yes Zeb and Jessie & Alfie were favourites) xxxx