Janet Chipps (23 Jun 1935 - 10 Oct 2024)

This was in the plate at the church today. Thank you so much to everyone who came today to celebrate mum and her life.

Remembering a good neighbour who willingly and quietly ‘oiled the wheels’ of many community events and activities - although with a teapot rather than an oil can.

I knew Janet for so many years at St John's Church, North Holmwood - and also as a good neighbour of my parents. Janet was the kindest soul, a sweet and gentle lady. May she Rest in Peace.

Janet,now reunited with Grandma and my Mum her lovely Sister Barbara, love Fiona, Thomas and Joseph xxx

In celebration and memory of two cousins love and friendship over many, many years, Janet and Betty.

Fondest memories of many happy times x

With thanksgiving for Janet and in gratitude for her love of family and community.

In memory of my dear aunt . Love Simon , Samantha, Lilia and Alex xx

I was so sorry to hear last week that dear Janet has died. I first met her at church in 2006 when I moved to North Holmwood to live with my fiancé Alan at his family farm. I got to know Janet bit by bit and I always found her a must gracious and gentle and lovely lady. She also had a great sense of humour and a real flair for acting and performing in plays, pantomimes and Open the Book services at St John’s Primary School with great comic timing. Janet was a gifted gardener who maintained quite a heavenly front and back gardens at her home on Bentsbrook Park. She also was a faithful producer of delicious soups for our annual Lent lunches at St John’s and I remember especially her watercress soup. She took a full and active part in our group preparations in the morning before the lunch and welcoming and serving all of our guests. She loved to walk up the hill from her home to Teas on the Lawn on a Sunday afternoon and I always loved the way she seemed to truly savour and enjoy the one or sometimes two slices of cake she chose.

I was part of a reading group with Janet for a year in which we looked together chapter by chapter at a spiritual book and I was inspired by her refreshing and enquiring mind. She clearly pondered her faith and what prayer meant to her deeply and she had a lively mind.

One particular pleasure for me was when we discovered that Pembroke College Cambridge University where I studied for my undergraduate and postgraduate degrees was also where Janet’s dear granddaughter was now a current student. I phoned the college and asked then to send me an extra ‘term card’ for the year ahead which had a lovely photo of the Pembroke gardens on one side and a calendar of key dates for the year ahead on the back. I took it round to Janet and she was very happy and eagerly stuck it on the door of her fridge so she could see it every day and feel her connection with her grand daughter. I believe later that year Janet also had the opportunity to go to Cambridge and share a lovely meal with her family at Pembroke and she visited the chapel also.

A very dear and sweet and lovely lady. I will miss her a great deal. I remember that she used to love the plums I brought her from the farm too each summer. May she rest in peace and rise in glory. Love from Sarahxx

Remembering Janet with happy memories of the days with the St Dunstans Players and the fun and friendship we had.