It was fate that Jill and I met. We were both Moody Blues fans but I lived in Essex and she lived in Bexleyheath. On March 10th 1997, the BBC showed This is Your Life featuring Justin Hayward. But that same night, the Moody Blues were performing at the Royal Albert Hall, so any fan who did not know in advance missed it. Somehow I had heard it was on and set my video recorder before I left home for the show. Jill was distraught that she had missed it. As Jill told it, it was her daughter Mel who encouraged her to contact the Moody Blues Fan Club in Cobham to see if anyone had a copy of the recording. Being lucky enough at the time to possess two video recorders (!) I was able to provide the copies, and Jill was one of the contacts the fan club secretary gave to me. We began corresponding and 25 years friendship was born! A few weeks later, we finally met at Lakeside shopping centre, by the Atrium. There followed many adventures. In 1999, Jill and I travelled across the country to see the total solar eclipse, only visible in this country from the west country. We stayed overnight in Plymouth, intending to drive into Cornwall the next day. But everyone else had the same idea, so we drove towards south Devon to find a good pitch and ended up on Burgh Island at Bigbury-on-Sea. A fascinating experience as the birds stopped singing and the sky temporarily went dark in the middle of the day. Jill was the very best person I knew to share that with. About that time I discovered that Jill's hero, Justin Hayward, was doing a rare, small solo concert in his home town Swindon. Thanks to advance information, we managed to get tickets and I was able to take Jill to finally meet him in the intimate atmosphere of a small venue, rather than a huge concert hall. There followed many more Moodies shows, Justin solo shows, the War of the Worlds shows, that we shared. There was also our Formula 1 phase! I took on a driver's fan club and Jill was happy to join in with all that! We attended the British Grand Prix a few times and she supported me at the fan club parties. Many lunches and dinners were shared along the way. Jill had so many diverse interests. She always loved Sci-fi programmes like Doctor Who, Star Trek and Star Wars. She loved her cruises; I always admired the way she travelled on her own, making the most of all the opportunities to visit different places. When Jill fell in love with Strictly, and Giovanni in particular, we went together to a few of his shows too. She booked so many, I couldn't keep up! So she often went on her own. There will be an empty seat at some of those shows this year. How sad. Jill was such a generous friend, I have memories of her all over the house! Various gifts she gave me over the years: mugs, scarves, tokens of friendship of all kinds. I am sad she didn't get to open her Christmas presents that are still sitting in the spare bedroom where she slept when she came to stay, because we hadn't yet had the chance to meet up at Christmas this time. Oh yes, another memory! Jill used to enjoy the Christmas Eve Christingle services we went to together when she was spending Christmas Day with Mel and Tony and the boys. I always admired Jill's independence, including her mastery of public transport! It was lovely to share in her family news over the years too, she loved them all so much. She was always living her best life, as much as possible! I miss her very much. God bless you my dear Jill, 'I Know You're Out There Somewhere' embracing your 'New Horizons'. Keep dancing down 'Eternity Road' until 'The Day we Meet Again'. Much love. (Song titles courtesy of the Moody Blues).

Sending my deepest sympathy to all of Jill’s family and friends. I’ll miss her dearly, but will always remember Jill with a beaming mega-watt smile on her face. She was such a warm, supportive and generous friend, truly one of a kind. Jill’s special brand of mad fun made her an amazing companion on our many escapades along the fibre trail and gallery circuit. I’ll miss sharing our creative endeavours and will think of Jill whenever I see red and purple together. I really admire Jill’s passion and enthusiasm for life across so many interests, I’m not sure how she had time to pursue them all but she definitely lived life at full speed (warp speed!). While we had many shared interests, Jill also kept me up to date on areas she regarded as newsworthy. Notably, Strictly Come Dancing and I now feel compelled to keep up with how Gio is getting on! Foremost in Jill’s life though, was her family. It was lovely to hear the updates over the years and Jill often mentioned how grateful she was to be blessed in that area. Jill’s biggest love was being a grandmother. She was continually impressed by her grandchildren and radiated pride when she spoke of them. No doubt this will carry on and Jill will be regaling the angels with all future accomplishments. Sending love and hugs to all during this difficult time. Lots of love, Susan

Sending love and thoughts to Jill's Family at this time. Jill was the kindest person I know, and always thought of others. She was an AMAZING friend, and I will miss her very much. Her infectious smile and laugh, her big hugs, her love of Strictly, Doctor Who, Star Trek and the colour purple! Her family were everything to her, and whenever she spoke about them she was proud and loved them all. She was a beautiful person inside and out, and always made me laugh. The only person I know who would change her handbag to match her shoes. She was one in a million, and I will miss her very much. Jill the Clem, the Purple Queen - I know you will have decorated heaven and it will now be purple. With all my love. xxxxx