There was a well-attended Service of Thanksgiving for the life of Jacqueline (Jacqui) Green which was held at St. Mary's Church on 25th November. The Service was conducted by Reverend Jonathan Hawkins, and long-time friend, Michael Whitney, gave a tribute.
He said "Jacqueline Green – who I regarded as a second Mum – was born on 17th November 1935, to George and Dorothy Gurney in Waddesdon. Their only child, she was educated at Waddesdon Church of England School and then at the Prebendal School for Girls in Aylesbury.
She married Robert Green of Haddenham, at Waddesdon Church, in December, 1955, and moved to Townside, Haddenham, where, in July, 1959, they had son, Richard.
Since 1874, Robert's family had been running a major firm from Fort End Ironworks. They were mainly steam engine proprietors and road roller and threshing contractors, and ran an ironmongers' shop in Fort End. In 1960, Jacqui took over running the shop and over the next 43 years gradually extended the premises and range of goods, even expanding into what is now Norsk Cafe.
Robert moved to other buildings on the site, where Green's Keep flats are now situated. During this period, Jacqui employed many girls from the village, including, on Saturdays, my own daughter, Rebecca, who named her Granny Green – a name she loved.
The shop was renowned for its massive ironmongery stock – whatever was needed, from a single nail to a lawnmower, Jacqui or her staff would find it – it was the "B&Q of Haddenham"! In the early sixties Robert and I would spend a whole Friday delivering stock, including gallons of paraffin, round Haddenham and the surrounding villages.
But a big tragedy struck in the early 80's when her beloved Robert died from cancer at the early age of 54. This was very ironic as she and Robert, who were regular steam rally attenders with a steam roller that Robert had restored, had been running a bi-annual engine rally and fete on Banks Park, to raise funds for cancer research. Jacqui carried this on for many years and, along with the popular Christmas Raffle, raised around £70,000 for Cancer UK and was awarded a unique medal.
I don't know where she found the time,but she supported many clubs and activities in the village. Her love of acting from an early age, gave her the joy of participating in many plays over the years, and she particularly enjoyed dressing in family Victorian clothes at Victorian evenings.
She was a great supporter of our village museum, to which her family donated many artefacts. From its opening in 1998, she volunteered as a museum steward and only recently retired due to ill health. She loved her time at the Darby and Joan Club (now known as the Sixty Plus Club) and she loved the camaraderie there.
It was unfortunate that, after a fall at home and an extended stay in hospital, she became frail and housebound, but the fact that she lasted until a few days before her 89th Birthday was thanks to family, carers and friends. She was always wanting to know the village news, and even on the morning of the day she died gave me a present for my granddaughter. She never forgot any of their Birthdays, and, although she was very uncomfortable, she still managed that little twinkle in her eye.
She is reunited at last with her Robert, so remember her with a smile – she really was a star ! If anyone would like to make a donation to Cancer Research UK in her memory, please pass it on to F J Wilson, Funeral Directors, Greenway, Haddenham."
Jacqui was an inveterate jigsaw puzzler. She was happy to tackle puzzles with 1000 pieces and often did puzzles which had been donated to the local Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity shop, in order to ascertain whether they were complete before they went on sale.
Thank you to Michael Whitney and Christina Jeffrey for all the information about Jacqui. It is clear that Jacqui is sorely missed and we send our sincere condolences to her family and friends at this very sad time.
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