Jean Rowe (28 Feb 1941 - 27 Aug 2024)

In loving memory of Jean Rowe who sadly passed away on 27th August 2024

Jean Rosina Pattle was born on 28th of February 1941 to Harriet & John Herbert (Bert) Pattle in Laindon Essex. She had 2 younger sisters, Patricia & Linda.
She went to school in Laindon, attended dance classes and loved to perform in shows.

Jean left school at the age of 15 to work in London as a telephonist, tragically on her way home from work one evening in 1957 the train she was on was involved in an horrific crash. Left with very serious injuries it was put to her that she might never walk again and there was no possibility of having children. Defying the doctors & specialists she not only walked but married Ronald Alfred Rowe on the 21st of July 1962 and went on to have 2 daughters, Toni in 1963 and Tanya in 1968.

Jean always loved animals, particularly dogs and horses. She took to breeding and showing dogs having several different breeds but she was particularly well known for her Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.
Moving from Essex to Suffolk in 1975, Jean & Ron purchased Hill Farm in Withersdale Street. The move was epic, involving multiple vehicles and several journeys back & forth carrying everything including horses, dogs, cats, chickens, ducks & even a parrot!
Jean set up and ran a licenced boarding and breeding kennels and cattery at Hill Farm for several years, her customers came from far and wide to purchase puppies and kittens. She also looked after some more exotic pets including parrots and goats, once she was called to ask if she could look after some chimpanzees, which put her into a bit of a panic, only to find out later that it was a prank call!
Horses always played a big part in Jean's life and although she struggled to ride them herself, she loved breeding ponies and watching Toni and Tanya ride and compete with them.
She also raised a few cattle & pigs, it was never unusual for her to return from the livestock auctions with a calf on the backseat of the car or find piglets running around in the kitchen.

Despite Jean's strong will & determination, her disability proved too much and in 1984 the hard decision to sell Hill Farm was made, after a short stopgap, they purchased a building plot in Shotford Road, Harleston and built a lovely bungalow. Never one to sit around, Jean started a new venture, she bought a shop in the town & with the help of her sister Pat, set up a business selling ladies fashion known as The Box of Delights.
Later she also had another shop in Bungay called Elegance.

With retirement looming they decided to move again in 1997, this time building a lovely bungalow in School lane, Fressingfield.
Very sadly in 2004 Ron was diagnosed with cancer and passed away in the October, understandably Jean was absolutely devastated and at a loss as to how she would cope on her own.

By chance Jean met Ian King and her light shone again, they became very close friends & companions for nearly 20 years. In fact, during her last stay in hospital, when asked who he was, she told the nurse with a glint in her eye, "he's my 20 year lover”!

Jean will be very sadly missed by all who knew her.