We both knew something wasn’t quite right. As I hugged her goodbye she was just a little bit thinner than normal, a little bit frailer, more like the little great granny you might imagine her to be if you didn’t know her. Though at that time we didn’t know the extent of her illness, these were signs that we might not have long with the Nan that I knew. The Nan that I knew was the mother-in-law who chased my dad around the garden just to get her goodbye kiss; an independent, strong willed woman who refused to let her age define her. The Nan that I knew was physically strong, green thumbed and still tended to a beautiful and plentiful garden with just a little help. The Nan that I knew was still very much a tomboy at heart, she enjoyed fishing and watching sports on TV and even at 85 could navigate Facebook just as well as any Millennial could. The Nan that I knew proudly signed my birthday cards as “Nanny dragon”, the nickname she had acquired when my brother and I were kids; an explanation given to us by our parents when we were struggling to grasp how it was possible for one to breathe smoke out of their nose; without obviously being, a Dragon.
Jean was born on August 3rd 1934 in Wooburn Green; the year of Flash Gordon, Bonnie & Clyde and the start of Hitler’s dictatorship. She was the only daughter of Ernest and Dorothy Aldridge. Jean was not a fan of school and so she took the opportunity to move schools and attended the convent school in High Wycombe with her friend.
When she left school, she worked for The Imperial War Graves Commission at their offices in Wooburn Green as a private secretary. Her job required her to visit various war graves, some overseas to help organize memorial events for the fallen.
Aged 21, she married childhood sweetheart, David Hopkins in October 1955. They had known each other since they were just 5 years old. He was a sergeant in the Kings Dragoon Guards. True to their military lifestyle, they relocated several times over the years. First to Germany for some time, then to Carlisle where they had their first child, Terry. Less than a year later – by then based in Wool, they welcomed their second child, Andy into the world. Finally settling into post-Military life together in Bourne End where Tina was born 5 years later. Despite having moved around a lot during this time, it was Wooburn Green that she always called home.
At this time, Jean & David worked together for Bourne End Service Station. Jean worked as secretary and David as Manager. During these years; she and Dave enjoyed the Bourne End Community Centre functions, On Target Quizzes, and fancy dress balls. Tina recalls her dressing up as Nell Gwyn, looking rather grand in her green velvet dress and tightly curled locks.
She was a very good darts player, playing for many years for the Walnut Tree pub in Bourne End where she also worked behind the bar.
Alongside raising their children, Jean later worked bookkeeping at JW Smith, the family ironmongers in Wooburn Green; later taking over its operation when Jean’s mother passed. Thirteen years after Tina was born. Lisa made an early entrance into the world, on Christmas Day. Despite being caught off guard, Jean still managed to have her Christmas dinner in hospital. “Lisa!”, “Terry!”, “Andy!”, “Tina”… She would say, getting more and more frustrated at herself with each name. By the time she arrived at the correct name she was practically yelling at you. This was something that continued until her very last day with us and the torch of mixed up names has now been passed onto Tina.
In the 1970’s, she started Wooburn Saddle Club with Tina and other founding members. Jean was Secretary for the club, organizing shows and catering for their judges for many years. She played a pivotal role in the expansion of the club, taking it from from a tiny riding club with one yearly show, to holding several shows a year and hosting qualifiers to many of the major championships. She also helped out at the dressage competitions run by Snowball Farm. Upon stepping down from her role as Secretary of Wooburn Saddle Club, Jean joined Lea Barn Stables Equestrian Club, where she ran dressage events and their yearly show. In true Jean fashion, she didn’t let her age get in the way of getting to grips with designing the show schedule on her computer. There was of course, a lot of huffing, puffing and swearing at the poor computer and every year was “the last time she was doing the show”. This continued each year until, only about five years ago when she finally hung up her apron and gave the computer a well earned break!
When JW Smith closed its doors for good in 1981; Jean continued with her already established engraving business, serving local sports organizations and saddle clubs. She also worked for Bourne End Garden Centre, making hanging baskets. She continued both of these jobs well into her 80s.
Lisa fondly remembers competing in The Pub Petanque league for The Steps with her Mum during her teenage years. Jean was Lisa’s number one biggest fan and enjoyed watching Lisa train, compete and teach throughout her successful career as an International Dressage Rider and trainer. She was extremely fond of Lisa’s horses, often referring to herself as their Nan. In Jeans words, watching Lisa achieve her dreams at horse shows across the country was better than any holiday she could imagine.
Naturally, the loss of her husband in 1998, temporarily slowed her down; but over time, Jean fell back into her busy schedule with the many side jobs and volunteer positions that she had acquired over the years.
Jean lived a life full to the brim with many, many, passions. She loved cooking, crafts, flower arranging and her morning Suduku, coffee and a cigarette. She lived for her garden, always point blank refusing to wear gardening gloves as not to lose touch with the soil and plants she so skillfully worked with.
…as I embraced Nan for what was to be the last time back in August of this year (2019), she tearfully started to say “Just in case I’m not here on your next visit…” I cut her off, “What, are you going on holiday?” I teased. Of course, I knew what she really meant. During the split second that followed, as she stared at me blankly and I thought that I might have to explain my bad joke. But I was mistaken, her body may have been failing her, but her sense of humor was not. She let out a huge snorting laugh and hugged me tighter. Now that was the Nan that I knew and will forever remember as my Nanny Dragon!
Today we say goodbye to a woman who was a loving ‘Nan’ (never ‘Gran’) to her five grandchildren Wesley, Jodi, Charlotte, Stuart and Mitch and great-grandmother to Raven, Tyler and Arlo. She was ‘Mum’ to some, and a great friend to many more. After a mercifully short illness, Jean left this earth with a legacy of hard work and an all round love for her life, her passing will surely leave a Jean shaped hole in our hearts. Throughout her life it has become clear that Jean had many, many friends. From her days flipping burgers for the late Dennis Day at hundreds of horse shows all over the county, to her many hours ringside watching Lisa compete at dressage events; we all have a story of Jean to tell. As we celebrate her life together today we ask that you do one thing, and that is honor her memory by sharing your stories of her with us. Thank you to all her friends who made her life full; and special thanks to her wonderful neighbors, Tracy, Tim, Georgia and Miles. In her own words, Tracy was like another daughter to her. We are forever grateful for the love and compassion you showed her, particularly in the last few years when she needed it most. Jean’s illness was brief and she was aware of her friends and family gathered around her during her last hours. She was even able to enjoy a little whiskey and lemonade (her favorite tipple) the day before she passed. She slipped away peacefully in the early hours of Monday Oct 21st, with Tina at her side.
Thank you to Ros Curtis, Celebrant Member, Humanists UK for delivering the service.
Click here to make a donation to the Horse Trust in Jean’s memory
