12 June 1938 – 10 October 2021

Written by Denis, Jane’s husband

Jane, adored wife of Denis, died 10 October 2021 aged 83. Born in north Lancashire she was a boarder at St Swithun’s, from 1947 until 1957, which she loved. She was the prettiest girl in the school according to a contemporary, and a talented historian who could have gone to Cambridge said her headmistress. Instead she chose to follow in her father’s footsteps (he was a doctor) and read medicine at St Thomas’ Hospital, London for a year before transferring to Edinburgh University to read social studies. Unbeknown to her whilst at school her future husband, a Northumbrian, was serving nearby as a Second Lieutenant in the army on Salisbury Plain and then as a student at Oxford University. In 1958 they met in London where he practised as a barrister and were inseparable for the next 63 happy years. Married in 1961 they had 2 daughters, Georgina, a barrister, and Philippa, who were devoted to her and always valued her encouragement and sound advice. Jane was a constant support to her husband during his 23 years at the Bar and 22 years as a Judge and Master of the Bench at the Inner Temple, and a great help with the authorship of his books.

A 400-mile journey dissuaded her from sending the girls to St Swithun’s, and so they were educated at Westfield School and then were boarders at St.Leonard’s School at St Andrews and Fettes College in Edinburgh.

However, Jane diligently maintained contact with her school contemporaries throughout her life and for many years she organised an annual reunion lunch in London at times when she and her husband were resident there for cases and sittings.

Jane lies buried at St Giles‘ churchyard, Chollerton, loved and missed by so many, especially by a family grateful for the many years of happiness she provided.