Marjorie Jones (15 Jun 1929 - 2 May 2017)

In loving memory of Marjorie Jones who sadly passed away on 2nd May 2017

Marjorie was the youngest of four sisters born on the 15th June 1929 and delivered on the day by her Grandmother at the family home in Aysgarth Road, Finchley, North London. When she was 6 weeks old the family moved to a brand new house in Whitehouse Avenue in Borehamwood and that is where she met her neighbour and life-long friend Eileen Luscombe who lived just across the road. They grew up together and went to the same schools, Furzehill Road and Hillside Avenue. It may also have been where the subconscious thoughts of performing on stage first came about, as the garden backed on to Elstree Film Studios.
Being the youngest of the four Sewell sisters she was never short of company and during the war when the elder sisters joined the forces, new recruits were billeted at the house so Marjorie enjoyed a very active social life. She even found time to help out the YMCA near the station in Borehamwood, which ensured that she was never short of a partner for the local dances.
At 15 years old Marjorie started work at Australia House in Aldwych, London and after a little while that’s where she met Les and decided that he was the one to marry, which they did on 2nd April 1949. Celebrating their marriage with a honeymoon in Ventnor on the Isle of Wight. After the honeymoon they moved into a small one bedroom flat to start their life together. As a newlywed Marjorie quickly realised that she needed to be able to cook a proper meal, as her first few attempts only resulted in Les having to redecorate the kitchen following an explosion caused by overheating a tinned plum pudding.
In August 1950 they moved to a new house in Thornbury Gardens, Borehamwood where just over a year later Malcolm was born. Raymond followed in 1953 and then Gordon in 1955. As the house was a part of a new estate, many of her neighbours were all of a similar age and starting their own families. They shared their experiences as they were learning to be parents and became very close friends, who have all kept in contact to this day.
It is also here where her love for gardening developed, as the house was brand new the garden, well plot, was just a sea of clay and builder’s rubble, so Les and Marjorie set about digging out all the clay and rubble replacing it with top soil, laying down a lawn and flower beds together with a small kitchen garden.
Marjorie started back at work in 1963, initially this was for a local estate agent, but this was short lived as she was sacked after re-arranging the filing system. She didn’t admit to us what she did, but suffice to say the owner was very annoyed. Having secured a new job the boys were all given specific tasks to do when they got back from school, taking it in turns to prepare the dinner, lay the table, clean the house, take the dog out for a walk etc. Basically the boys were quite well house trained at an early age which doesn’t seem to have caused them any major harm in later life. In fact the wives have often thanked Marjorie profusely.
Family meal times were always special events with interesting and wide ranging topics of conversation interspersed with a great deal of fun and laughter.
In 1966 the family moved to Ascot following the relocation of Les’s job and this is where Marjorie learnt to use some of her resourcefulness and DIY skills as the house was very old and in need of total renovation, even down to stripping out the old gas lamps, and copper in the kitchen. Once the house was fit to live in Marjorie and Les set about creating a cottage garden, which became something that they were very proud of. Marjorie got a job at the Met Office in Bracknell where she again made some very good friends.
In 1976 Marjorie and Les moved to Porton where they again made some very special friends and stayed there until coming to Verwood in 1992. They settled in to the local community enjoying retirement together.
Summer holidays were always very special times, as two weeks of the year the family religiously spent time either, at the coast, or in the country staying at farm cottages. Often Marjorie’s nieces and nephews joined the family holiday, which meant that there was never a dull moment, irrespective of the weather. Marjorie became a more than mother to all the members of the extended family, she was a friend and confidant. These holidays together were very special times for all concerned.
Once the children had grown up the holidays took on a slightly different slant, but they were always memorable, very special and filled with fun.
Marjorie was very much a person who love people she would always put the needs of others first, rarely forgetting to send cards for birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas, get well messages, or post cards just to keep in touch. She would always be in constant contact with friends, relations and neighbours either by visiting in person, by phone, or email. She had an ability to be able to talk to anyone and get them to talk to her. I am sure that it was the hint of mischief and kindness that twinkled in her eyes that made her welcome wherever she went.
Always young at heart and enjoying life to the full she was not afraid of trying anything once, as I am sure that the members of the Verwood Towns Women’s Guild would agree. In joining the Verwood TG she was able to rediscover her love of dressing up and performed in many of their shows. The sight of Marjorie dressed up as a cowboy, Marilyn Monroe, or a male ballet dancer were visions never to be forgotten. (Photographic evidence is available upon request). She also took on the role of almoner visiting sick and poorly members ensuring that they were cared for in the best possible way, in fact she only gave up this role just after Christmas.
Marjorie always found time for everyone, sometimes to the detriment to herself, whether it be members of the family, near or far, or friends, or acquaintances, she was always there with a kind word, or funny anecdote. Her generosity and love knew no bounds reaching friends and family across the globe. How we all loved the opening ‘Hello Dears’ of her letter and emails. She meant it, we were all dear to her just as she was to us.
Even nearing the end, as always appreciating and thinking of others, Marjorie wanted to say a very special thanks to the NHS and Macmillan Palliative Care Team who have been absolutely fantastic over these past few months.
She will be sadly missed by everyone who knew her, but her smile, her laughter and her love will remain in our hearts forever. Rest in peace Marjorie.