jannie passed away in her sleep on christmas day. today, amongst the family of the father of my boys, we said goodbye…with gentle, harmonious buddhist chanting and the sweet, spicy scent of incense. jannie was a true english eccentric. she lived on strong sweet tea brewed in a teapot, and hot, oily chips whipped up in a saucepan, crackling salty bacon butties and jam - lots of jam. she drove erratically and with a stubborn passion. she looked after children, lost souls, many poodles, abandoned cats and a man with schizophrenia. she kept a forever flowering english garden. she laughed loud and hugged lots. she shopped exclusively at op shops. and she told stories.
incredible life stories. of a time when pop was away at war and darkness descended england. of children being born at home and beds being carried up the stairs by pop. and about famous families who loved that she was their nannie. of being called janet by mr drinkwater when her name was mabel. of the loss of her only son in vietnam. of caravan travelling and small town adventures. and stories of her adored grandsons and the unique and cherished childhood they enjoyed because of her unconditional love and devotion.
great grandchildren were a bonus for jannie. she often told me in conversation and - more recently in cheerful letters - how she never dreamed she would enjoy the “absolute delight” of great grandchildren. visits were regular and filled with endless cups of tea, bacon, hot chips and jam. she would hold close new babies and sing war tunes until they dozed. she would wander her garden with toddlers, collect eggs and water the vegetables. she would paint and draw and dress up as the children grew older, and they all developed a liking for sweet tea from a tea pot poured into a china tea cup. she lectured and advised and praised and was amazed as the great grandchildren became teenagers and adults - exclaiming with laughter how beautiful the girls and handsome the boys were - and how completely lucky she was to see them grow.
she told me she was certain daisy would be ok at a time when life was so uncertain.
my two boys shared a great love for their jannie.
jannie was forthright and determined and the most giving and selfless person i have ever known.
i so loved the stories.