Because Jean had so many friends, overseas as well as in the UK, Soroptimist International St Albans & District will be holding a special “Remembering Jean” Zoom event on Monday 28th April, 19.30. Please email sistalbans@hotmail.com if you’d like to join.
We hope you enjoy remembering Jean by looking at these photos. Please scroll down for Jean’s obituary and to see tributes that people have sent us. We would love to receive any thoughts, stories or images of Jean which you would like to share.
Obituary
In addition to her career at a senior level in Finance, Jean always threw herself into local community matters and was a brilliant fundraiser for many local charities. Jean’s neighbour Brenda Hillier in Redbourn knew she would make a wonderful Soroptimist and encouraged her to join in 2000. She soon became part of the heart of the Club and was a gem as Club Treasurer for many of her years as a Member. She was Club President 2004/5 and 2008/9. Her husband and soul-mate Alan tragically died in the year she was President for the first time, so she felt she wanted to have another “proper” go when she was better able to focus, which the Club benefitted hugely from. Jean’s fundraising skills were legendary, along with networking and having fun! She worked closely with many charities and particularly with Grove House in St Albans and the St Albans and Hertsmere Women’s Refuge, building strong partner relationships and raising many thousands of pounds for them. Jean played an active role in Soroptimist International London Chilterns Region and was the Region’s Treasurer for many years. Jean embodied the vision and mission of Soroptimist International and implemented it with style and passion. She participated actively in many Soroptimist International Great Britain and Ireland Conferences. As well as supporting local charities and causes through Soroptimists, Jean loved the International dimension and built strong bonds with our Friendship Links, particularly Chico in California USA and Muenster in Germany. These ties were reinforced when Jean attended the Soroptimist International Convention in Dublin in 2023.
Even with Jean’s “boomerang” cancer and other health issues later in life, her 82 years were lived to the full, and her energy was inspirational!
In addition to Soroptimists Jean was active in many other organisations, who, we are sure, will also find a big Jean-shaped hole now, along with many great memories.
Please scroll down to see tributes that people have sent us. We would love to receive any thoughts, stories or images of Jean which you would like to share.
Donations in Jean`s memory will be gratefully received by:
There are tributes to Jean in the local newspapers – The St Albans Times, The Herts Advertiser and The St Albans Review please click on the links below:https://www.hertsad.co.uk/news/24904470.st-albans-tributes-paid-legendary-community-champion/
https://www.stalbansreview.co.uk/news/24904470.st-albans-tributes-paid-legendary-community-champion/
From Soroptimist Hilary Ratcliffe OBE:
“She was the perfect Soroptimist. Always prepared to get stuck in and help with a smile. When I moved away I really enjoyed receiving the newsletter that Jean edited so well and she always sent it to me so I kept up with what the club was doing
I never failed to enjoy her company, as did my husband David, and she was always so positive especially after Alan`s death and her breast cancer diagnosis. If anyone wanted help, a lift, etc she was always willing. I remember carol singing parties at Mary Campbell`s, the book stall, the Christmas market stall, the quiz night, getting together for a meal in Dublin at the international conference. and so many happy times spent in her company.”
From SI Warsaw
“It was with deep sorrow that we learned of the death of Jean Eaton, a great Sister Soroptimist and a wonderful woman. Please accept on behalf of our Warsaw Club our condolences over the loss of a Sister whose work and personality will long be remembered.
I found a photo taken during our stay in St.Albans. Jean looks so happy, joyful and full of life and energy. Please convey our deepest condolences to her family and all the Sisters from your Club.
We remain in deep sadness. R.I.P.
Best regards,
Danuta Celińska and Jolanta Kunicka
SI Warsaw Club”
From SI Victoria Seychelles
“We are deeply saddened to learn about your loss of a cherished friend and valuable Club member.
On behalf of all of us we extend heartfelt condolences. May the friendship and good moments you shared with Jean ease some of the pain you are feeling.
We shall keep Jean in honoured memory. In friendship Angelika Maurel”
From the SAHWR Refuge on Facebook:
“We are so saddened to hear of the passing of Jean. We have fond memories of working alongside Jean and will be eternally grateful for her support of SAHWR. Please pass on our sincerest condolences to Jean’s family, friends and colleagues, on behalf of the trustees, management and staff members.”
From SI Muenster
From Sylvia Vornhecke and others on first hearing:
“So very sad to hear about this loss from you – it seems we just spent the evening at Jean’s pretty house a few weeks ago. She was still so active and cheerful in April, also visiting Knebworth House with us, just a bit slower than before.
We all will remember her so well as she started our friendship link being SI St Albans’ president together with Irmgard Käbisch, who was our president at that time.”
Irmgard Klotz wrote:
“Thank you, Sylvia, for the message. I’m very sorry. It’s nice that I was able to get to know her. She really was as Helen described her. Unfortunately we won’t see her again.”
Brigitte Borchard:
“Oh man, so sad! Such a powerful person”
Felina Borchard: “Thanks for sharing!! How bad and sad I remember her so happily and lovingly! It’s nice that I was able to get to know her!”
Later when they had details of the funeral and the webpage
From Sylvia Vornhecke:
“During our SI meeting last week I told our members about Jean and her founding of our friendship link together with Irmgard Käbisch who became very close friends. Many of us knew her from various visits and it was always a delight seeing her again. We all enjoyed her company and were very thankful for her hosting us at her cosy home on our first evening visiting your club in April 2024. Although she had trouble walking she even joined our visit to Knebworth house. Our members were extremely sad to hear about this tragedy.
Jean played an important active role within your club and I appreciate very much that so many of you take the time to join the funeral service on the 29th. I just read her memory on your website: well written and it portrays her exactly. I will send the link to our club members as well.
Take care, Sylvia xx”
Irmgard Klotz wrote (alongside a picture of Jean outside WH Smiths in St Albans):
“And her smile in the photo is a bit mischievous. But that’s how she was. She was an accountant by profession, she told me. We talked a lot about medicine, medical diseases and physiotherapy. She said she had spent a fortune on physiotherapy because her insurance wouldn’t cover the costs. She had polyneuropathy and often had pain in her feet. That’s why I found the red shoes special.
She also encouraged me to go up the Tower in St. Albans and enjoy the overview of the city. And she went with me to different stores. She didn’t rest. I found that quite remarkable. She was already a driving force and also a role model. It was also funny how in the evening after dinner, when she was paying, she calculated everything by hand on a piece of paper. She didn’t let that go. Everyone trusted her. Helen and Sarah were also very welcoming and open to everyone. The atmosphere was warm when the men came along before dinner and Axel talked to everyone. That was very wonderful. I won’t forget the entire trip and the hospitality.”
From Jean’s Childhood friend – Linda
“Thank you for your gracious and kind way in giving me the sad news of Jean and I expect you and your friend who was sitting with Jean right to the end, will have many such calls to make. She had many friends – Devon and even Vancouver Island where she had lovely holidays. I remember her parents Mr. & Mrs. Waddell and grandmother Mrs. Bignell – so many memories which we all have of Jean.”
From her second cousin in Canada:
“I did appreciate hearing what had happened to Jean and I was in shock for several days. I’ve been in Canada for 67 years and we did, in fact, attend the same school in Walthamstow – William Morris Tech. – however, Jean was, maybe four younger than I was, and we didn’t have any contact at that time. It was some years later when she was married to Alan and living in Redbourn that we were introduced by my mother (her father and my mother being cousins). Since then, my husband, Keith, and I stayed with them until both husbands passed away and Jean moved to St. Albans. My annual trip to UK always included a few days staying with Jean, and our correspondence also led to our visit to Paris, primarily when we sat over coffee at St. Pancras station and I looked longingly at Eurostar waiting to depart. (Her leg was in plaster at the time.) We went the next year. Since then we travelled together to Alaska in 2017 aboard Holland America’s “Volendam” out of Vancouver. Through Jean I have also stayed at No.63 on Bayswater Road numerous times, and it was with my younger son, Lindsay, that we spent a week there last March [2024] on arrival in London. It was my final trip to England, so we had a week in London, and one week with my husband’s family in Chagford, Devon. This was followed by two more nights at No.63 before flying back to Victoria, B.C. It is very hard to define a friend or relative, but her long, interesting necklaces always captured my notice because she was taller than I, and they didn’t suit me. I look back with fond memories to the photograph albums I have with pictures of Jean. May she rest in peace.”
From Kerry Trevett – a visitor to our Club
“I’ve just seen the news on Instagram about lovely Jean…the lady I’ve met a couple of times. I’m truly very sorry.”
From St Albans Action for Homeless
“So sorry to hear this. Sending love to her family xx”
From SI Club of Kisumu, Kenya
“Rest in power dear Soroptimist Sister. Sending condolences to family and friends.”
From Farhat Zia
“Really sorry to hear this sad news. Jean was an inspirational lady. Will be truly missed. A true champion of Soroptimist.”
From Sue Payne SI Milton Keynes
“How sad, I remember Jean in our early Milton Keynes days how supportive and helpful she was.”
There were many more simple messages of condolence – all much appreciated.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
