Jeanette Bremner (11 Dec 1932 - 19 Sep 2015)

In loving memory of our mum - Jeanette Eve Bremner RIP (preferred name Jennie)
Saturday 31st October 2015,11:30am

Memorial Service – Flowton Church
David, Husband RIP
Debbie, Daughter
Julia (+ Spencer), Daughter
James (+ Warunee), Son
Eddie & Jo, Siblings RIP
Samuel, Grandson
Sofia & Robert, Grandchildren
Ex Daughter-in-law Marilena
Entrance Music: “These Were the Days of our Lives”, Queen (3 mins)
Would you all please stand
Welcome and Introduction
Good morning and thank you all for coming. We gather here today not only to perform the sad task of saying goodbye to Jennie, but also to celebrate her life among us and to give thanks for all she gave to each of you, her family and her friends.
Do please be seated
During this short service we’ll listen to a poem, I will deliver the Eulogy, but at the centre of our ceremony will be a time for you all to reflect on Jennie’s departing. In this way Jennie will be remembered for who she was and what she accomplished in those 82 years. The ceremony will close with words of comfort and inspiration.
My name is Mary Carter and I’m an **** who has been asked by Jennie’s children to conduct this service here today. It is a privilege to do so.
Words on Life & Death
Jennie was not a regular Church-goer but made a point of always attending the major festivals of Christmas, Easter and Harvest. She made sure her children were christened and always supported her local Church. Her faith was known to God alone …
And so it would be comforting to think of Jennie now reunited with her belovéd David, her Brother Eddie, her Sister Jo and her best friend Wendy ...

HYMN: Morning has broken – Eleanor Farjeon
Morning has broken, like the first morning
Blackbird has spoken, like the first bird
Praise for the singing, praise for the morning
Praise for the springing fresh from the world

Sweet the rain's new fall, sunlit from heaven
Like the first dewfall, on the first grass
Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden
Sprung in completeness where his feet pass

Mine is the sunlight, mine is the morning
Born of the one light, eden saw play
Praise with elation, praise every morning
God's recreation of the new day

The Reading (Debbie)
We have chosen to hear a lovely poem by David Harkins called “She is Gone”
She Is Gone

You can shed tears that she is gone
Or you can smile because she has lived.

You can close your eyes and pray that she will come back
Or you can open your eyes and see all that she has left.

Your heart can be empty because you can't see her
Or you can be full of the love that you shared.

You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday
Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.

You can remember her and only that she is gone
Or you can cherish her memory and let it live on.

You can cry & close your mind, be empty & turn your back
Or you can do what she would want:
smile, open your eyes, love and go on.

David Harkins
The Eulogy, Jennie’s Story
Jennie was born on the 11th December 1932 in Exeter. Her Father, Edward was an officer in the army and had served in both World Wars. Her Mother Alice had three children, Josette the eldest, Jennie &, Eddie who was the youngest. Sadly they are no longer with us …
Her Father’s Army career took the family to Ipswich in Suffolk where Jennie started school – but this was interrupted by her evacuation to North Wales during which time the family was split up. This was a particularly unhappy time for Jennie …
After school Jennie moved to London to become a PA to Peter Brough. He was famous for “Educating Archie”, a BBC Light Programme comedy show broadcast from 1950 to 1958 on Sunday lunchtimes featuring the ventriloquist Peter Brough and his doll Archie Andrews …
Whilst working in London Jennie made frequent visits home to Ipswich where she met David, a young Grain Merchant. They married in 1956 at Bucklesham Road Church in Ipswich. They lived in an apartment overlooking the sea front in Felixstowe & Jennie often reminisced about the happy times they spent there.
Jennie & David had many good friends including Mary, David (with their respective partners at the time), Betty and Fred with whom they would enjoy dancing at the Pier Pavillion and the social life offered by Felixstowe.
Debbie was born first, then Julia and after a move inland to Somersham James was born in ‘69
Life was good, the family still enjoyed weekends down on the beach at Felixstowe, & had an active village life to. David loved his golf so unfortunately Jennie became a golf-widow!
The girls in particular remember their family holidays; sometimes there were mammoth trips up to Scotland in the back of a Morris Traveller that started at 3:30am! Other times it was North Wales where they’d stay in B&Bs or across to Jersey to stay with relatives. A particular favorite was down on the Sussex coast at Bracklesham Bay, her Sister & Brother in law’s holiday home.

A life-long friendship with the Reverend and the (then) Margaret Francis had a rocky start. Jennie was ill shortly after James was born which meant a long period in hospital away from home. With David working full-time Margaret and Ron took the children into the Rectory doubling the size of their family! James was less than a year old and, at one point wriggled out of his adopted sister’s arms (Sally Francis) and fell to the floor – the black eye was stupendous as was his playing of the saucepans! Jennie was eternally grateful and kept in close touch with Margaret their friendship extending nearly 50 years!
Once the children were a little older & after the family had moved to Hertfordshire Jennie returned to part-time working. First at M&S over the Christmas period and then a permanent 9 ‘til 1 job in Bishop’s Stortford with Boardman’s, an old-fashioned Stationers. She worked on the greeting cards & fountain pen counter.
Debbie was the first to leave home – she was off to London. Then Julia, she went to Lambourn to work with Racehorses & finally James joined the Army, he was in the Royal Anglian Regiment and saw active service in Northern Ireland which was of constant concern to his mum. Jennie and David now had the house to themselves …
David was coming up to retirement age by now and he took the offer of redundancy. He and Jennie decided to move back to their roots in Suffolk.
From their home base in Hadleigh, Jennie and David enjoyed regular trips away in B&Bs, they were enthusiastic members of the National Trust and enjoyed Bird Watching - especially in their own garden which Jennie took great pride in.
They frequently travelled abroad, often to friends, Betty & Fred in Menorca, although Austria and Spain were popular too.
But their wonderful way of life was shattered in 2000 when David died suddenly from a massive stroke. With the love and support of all her 3 children she did get over her devastation – and in fact recovered quite well in spite of her history of anxiety and nerve trouble … Jennie was a strong-willed and determined woman.
Jennie stayed put in Hadleigh and rebuilt her life. She established a routine, a pattern and was never at home. She’d visit friends, in particular Mary and David Warrington, where she was often found having a cup of tea and piece of cake or lunch, always extolling the virtues of Mary’s cooking. She kept up her regular swimming sessions with neighbour Molly and always walked into town yet, latterly the bus would bring her home up the hill! Trips to her best friend Wendy’s was another regular outing and a friend who she missed especially. And of course soon after David’s death she became a Grandmother and always looked forward to the children’s visits or her trips down to Swindon – especially at Christmas for the family get-togethers.
Samuel Iles was very special to Jennie. He started his life rather earlier than expected and, at every opportunity, GanGan, as Jennie became fondly known, was on the bus to Swindon to play a part in his life. Although she could never quite understand his fascination for electronic games!
Italy played a very important part in Jennie’s life. Granddaughter Sofia and her mum, Marilena, had relocated and as often as funds would permit she accompanied James on visits to the beautiful Lake Garda for holidays.
2005 was not such a good year; Jennie was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. It took over her life – but she conquered it and made a full recovery. The years rolled on until in 2014 Jennie’s health began to deteriorate. She had 2 serious falls and Osteoporosis …
She stayed put up in Suffolk but had to give up driving. She spent last New Year down in Swindon. But by February her family had to take it in turns to go up every weekend to make sure she was coping. Thank goodness for good neighbours Margy and Terry who played such an important role and, the massive support given by Margaret Laflin – what would we have done without you?
But Jennie’s mobility was becoming an issue and by mid-March it was clear that she needed constant attention. To combat her chest infections she was on constant antibiotics … & although she tried she was becoming more & more frail.
With her independence gone she needed looking after in such a way that even 2 loving and supportive daughters and a caring Son could not provide. By June this year the children moved her to an assisted living apartment at Fitzwarren Court, Swindon. She was very well liked by all the staff. Julia visited her every day & her son James moved to Swindon to be closer to her. But after yet another chest infection in July, Jennie, who had always been very particular about her appearance even lost the will to put her make up on! This was a bad sign …
Jennie was finally admitted to the Great Western Hospital on 9th August & after nearly 6 weeks of what seemed like a rollercoaster ride of emotional up & downs the children received the phone-call that they had dreaded. Mum had passed away. A Nurse was with her. She knew that she was loved and that she was not alone.
Thankfully, although she never met him personally, Jennie was able to enjoy all the photos of her latest grandchild, Robert, via social media from Thailand. It was James’s partners’ wish that Jennie could meet Robert in person but that was not to be.
I asked Debbie & Julia if they could sum up their Mother for me: I was told what a wonderful Wife, Mother and Grandmother she was, how she was stronger than people gave her credit for and fiercely independent. She was supportive of her children and Grandchildren … she could be very outspoken though and could sometimes forget to think first before she spoke! Jennie was very special. She lived for her family. She shared her happy times, but kept her troubles to herself. The world is a poorer place for her departing …
But these recollections are now just memories; Jennie has gone – there is an empty place at the table … already we miss her voice and her reassuring presence …
So, finally, it is my deepest hope and wish that this day that her children Debbie, Julia & James, her son in law Spencer, her Grandchildren Samuel, Sofia & Robert, her ex daughter-in-law Marilena and all Jennie’s relatives and friends find peace, knowing that Jennie is safe and well, free from pain and distress, reunited with her belovéd David, arm in arm in the bond of love, a bond that can never be broken. Jennie, may you rest in peace.

HYMN: Jerusalem – William Blake
And did those feet in ancient time
Walk upon England's mountains green?
And was the holy Lamb of God
On England's pleasant pastures seen?
And did the Countenance Divine
Shine forth upon our clouded hills?
And was Jerusalem builded here
Among these dark Satanic Mills?
Bring me my bow of burning gold!
Bring me my arrows of desire!
Bring me my spear! O clouds, unfold!
Bring me my chariot of fire!
I will not cease from mental fight,
Nor shall my sword sleep in my hand,
Till we have built Jerusalem
In England's green and pleasant land
Prayers – Mary Carter
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father, which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy Name.
Thy Kingdom come.
Thy will be done in earth,
As it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive them that trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
The power, and the glory,
For ever and ever.
Amen.

The Goodbye
We have now reached the most difficult part of our ceremony here today, the time when we must say our goodbyes …
Would you all please stand
**START** “I Am Woman”, Helen Reddy **BACKGROUND**
Jennie, thank you for all you gave. Your spirit was truly inspirational and the ripples of your life and love continue to spread in this world. You go with our love and our thanks and our gratitude for the joy and happiness that you brought to so many people here on earth, in the knowledge that your life continues now, not here on earth with us - but on another shore. For the life on this earth and on that distant shore are not two separate lives, but one life.
Jennie, into the love and warmth of nature
We lay you down.

Into the sadness and smiles of our memories
We lay you down.

Into the cycle of living and dying and rising again
We lay you down.

May you rest in peace, in fulfilment, in loving
May you run straight home into the embrace of the Divine.

Jennie, into the freedom of wind and sunshine
We let you go.

Into the dance of the stars and the planets
We let you go.

Into the wind’s breath and the hands of the star maker
We let you go.

We love you, we miss you, we want you to be happy
Go safely, go dancing, go running home.

We bring to mind our fond memories of Jennie in happier times: we picture her playing on the beach in Felixstowe, we remember her love of dancing, her love of life and her dedication to her children. Perhaps we picture Jennie laughing with her friends ... or perhaps simply surrounded by her family …
In the silence that follows we may – if appropriate - pray for the safe transition of Jennie’s soul to whatever lies ahead. And of course we hold Debbie, Julia and James in our thoughts …
Silence (0.5 min)

Poem: At Rest (Helen Steiner Rice) Debbie
Think of me as one at rest,
for me you should not weep
I have no pain no troubled thoughts
for I am just asleep.
The living thinking me that was,
is now forever still,
And life goes on without me now,
as time forever will.

If your heart is heavy now
because I've gone away,
Dwell not long upon it friend
For none of us can stay.
Those of you who liked me,
I sincerely thank you all -
And those of you who loved me,
I thank you most of all.

And in my fleeting lifespan,
as time went rushing by,
I found some time to hesitate,
to laugh, to love, to cry.
Matters it now if time began
If time will ever cease?
I was here, I used it all,
and now I am at peace.
Do please be seated
**FADE OUT MUSIC**
Words of Hope and Inspiration
Life will be so different without Jennie and her strength of personality, her love of life, and her kindness will be missed. Remind each other of her qualities, talk about her and treasure those times we shared, comfort and support each other through the sad times as we share our grief and feelings and remember that her calling in life was in living life to the full, looking after her Husband, her children, and their children - and in encouraging others to do the same!
May you all – especially the Grandchildren - feel inspired and full of hope, renewed by your memories of Jennie and for having shared in her life. Jennie wouldn’t want you to remember her in sadness, but rather in love, and with a smile, with a thought to all the good and happy moments of her life.
A final Blessing:
May the road rise to meet you
May the wind be always at your back
May the sun shine warm upon your face
May the rain fall softly on your fields
And until we meet again
May our Creator hold us all in the hollow of his hand.
Thank you all for coming!
Music Out: “Con te Partiro” “Time to Say Goodbye”, Andrea Bocelli (3 mins)