During our teens Jill was the first of our class to acquire a bottle of real perfume. It was Carven's ' Ma Griffe'. To us, that green and white striped box represented our passport to adulthood. We sat on Jill's bed in her sumptuous room in Kirby Gate, silently surveying the box. " Ma Grif," I muttered, in a perfect Home Counties accent. " No, Mairead," Jill retorted with her kindly chuckle. " Say it after me.

Ma Grreef!" Sounding like a true Parisienne, Jill had inherited her father, Bernard's, penchant for all things French, fine wines and Citroen cars in particular. Needless to say, she sailed through her 'O' Level French oral like a native. On the day in question Jill insisted we both indulged in a squirt of 'Ma Griffe,'"

At least we'll smell French even if we don't sound it!" Our Upper Sixth class was a small, tightly knit band. Everyone's personality was vital for the group to survive the numerous stresses associated with our final year at school.

There was a great deal of fun too. Who will ever forget being on the receiving end of Lizzie Kelly's razor sharp wit ? When it was her turn, Jill's tongue in cheek, solemn responses completely disarmed Lizzie, leaving the rest of us howling with laughter; Lizzie loudest of all.

June was our birthday month. Jill's on 11th, mine the day before. We used to bemoan the fact that summer exams always poured a damper on being able to enjoy our birthdays property. However, following the early completion of our final 'A' Level paper in June 1970, both sets of parents gallantly agreed to us having a joint bash, celebrating an end to school life, in addition to the birthdays.

This event took place in the garden of Kirby Gate and, as far as I can remember, rocked the respectable residents of Southbourne right out of their deckchairs as ' Spirit in the Sky' blasted from the ancient record player!

The place was thronged with those we knew and those we didn't. A few among the latter caused somewhat of a rumpus. Both sets of parents were mortified. As Jill said afterwards, if our parents disapproved, it must have been a brilliant evening!

After school Jill and I went our separate ways, she to King Alfred's College of Education in Winchester, from where she qualified as a primary school teacher. Shortly after she met and subsequently married Antony. They moved to the Malvern area and the children duly arrived. Jill and I maintained our friendship, although limited to birthday and Christmas cards, as I was out of the country for most of the seventies and into the eighties.

Messages on her cards spoke lovingly of new babies, Antony and home. During a particularly tense period of my life in 1979 in Tehran, mental images of the quiet stability of Jill's daily life provided a psychological oasis of calm among the mayhem of the Iranian Revolution.

Years later I told Jill in a Christmas card about how she had, quite unknowingly, helped maintain my sanity.

"I'm glad," she replied, "but however terrible a situation may be for someone at a particular time it's important to know that good times will return. They have to. Life is all about balance." I still have that particular Christmas card from 1987. During Christmas 20041 put it on the mantelpiece, along with other cards - and remembered my friend.

For all her friends Jill's illness came as a dreadful shock. We exchanged 'phone calls and e-mails in stupefied disbelief. We felt helpless. During times of crisis Jill was the person to whom we turned for support

My last conversation with her was 17th December. Always thinking of others, she enquired earnestly about my family. She spoke proudly of how Oliver had recently got some good tennis coaching jobs in London.

Emily was doing well in her final year in Birmingham, reliving Jill's dream. Paul was on target with his A/S Levels. And Sophie...Sophie was still her darling Sophie, achieving more each day. During that beautiful service in Pershore Abbey on February 3rd, we were given a time of silent reflection on Jill's life.

There she was, head tilted slightly to one side. Deep, clear eyes gazing at me as she absentmindedly shook her wrist to reposition her watch, forever slipping down over the top of her hand. Her sweet, gentle, childlike voice filled my ears. " Where did you come from ? It's so good to see you. Gosh, aren't there a lot of people here?"

On behalf of Jill's class of 1970,1 would like to extend deepest sympathy and love to Antony, Oliver, Emily, Paul, Sophie, Rita and all her relatives and friends. Jill's friendship is a defining influence in my history. In a few weeks time the bluebells in that magical wood in Leigh Sinton will be in flower.

For Jill."
Six past pupils met for a meal, in Tuckton. CHRISTINE BROCKLEHURST (PLACE), JENNY BATE (SHEPHERD ), ANNE CHAINEY (RATCLIFFE), DIANE DAVIES (FIRMIN), ANITA GODDARD (CLARKE) & JEANETTE THOMPSON ( GREEN); the toast of the evening was 'JILL.' I am sure that would have met with her approval.

On June 19th there is to be a sponsored run for ladies in Bournemouth for Cancer Research. A group of Jill's friends, from their days at King Alfred's College, Winchester, decided, at their annual meeting in London, that they would take part for Jill and have all got T-shirts with " Jill's Joggers" on.

Her sisters- in -law, Jolyon's wife Jo and Peter's wife Linda are taking part, the latter is hoping to bring some of her daughters with her.

We are pleased to report that THERESA KENNEDY {WARD} & CHRISTINE THACKRAY (BROWNING) have recovered well from surgery. The latter has just returned from a trip to Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands !

When we heard from GENEVIEVE BASTO (BOND) at Christmas the news was good as scans had revealed very pleasing progress. They are grateful for your prayers. Please remember all past pupils who are ill and their families who suffer with them.

THERESA BARNES (YOUNG) has had heart-by-pass surgery;

ROWENA INGRAM (DIRKS) has breast cancer, she has recently undergone surgery and is just beginning chemotherapy, she asks for your prayers.

BERNARD COX, a past pupil of the Convent and St. Peter's School, has recently been diagnosed with cancer of the colon, which has affected the liver; he is just beginning a course of chemotherapy treatment.

BARBARA KEAY (HAWKINS), who lives in Poole, regrets being unable to attend reunions as she suffers from long term ill health.

We pray that they may be given the help and strength needed to bear their suffering, and for a return to good health.