This is the eulogy for June Webb, my sister Sheena's Mother in Law. The funeral took place in Ashdon Baptist Church.
June was born in Linton on 10 March 1930, the eldest child of 5. Her brothers and sisters Anne, Russell, Sicily and Terry all mourn with us today. At an early age the family moved to Horseheath, where June went to primary school before going to Linton Village College. When she left school she went to work as a seamstress at Girteens textiles in Haverhill. It was a talent she never lost.
It wasn’t long before June met Stanley Webb and they married on 28 March 1953 in Ashdon Church. Apparently a quickie licence had to be arranged – not for the reason you’re thinking! – Alan didn’t arrive until 1955. It was needed because Stan’s mother was ill and June wanted to move in to look after Stan Norman, Percy and their father at 8 Rogers End. In those very different days it would have been unthinkable to move in without being married. I wonder if she knew what she had let herself in for.
June worked in Ashdon at Malletts Fruit Farms with Stan for many years. She adored her job and made many lifelong friends. Pat Mallett paid tribute to June this week saying she was so lucky “her girls”, as she called them, were always considered an extended part of her family. She didn’t consider them employees.
In Sept 1955 another male arrived for her to look after. Alan was apparently a gorgeous baby – yes I know it’s difficult to imagine, but bear with me. Sheena showed me a picture of him in a dress looking identical to Zoe. June told Sheena Alan used to sleep in a clothes basket when he was born, something which I am sure would result today in social services being called!
June and Stan were immensely proud of their only son. In 1970 Alan started playing for Ashdon Football Club. Stan and June used to watch him in every game come rain or shine home and away. June wasn’t one for great emotional expressions of love, but this was her way of showing how much she loved Alan. And greater love hath no woman that she would wash his entire team’s football kit.
But she could also be a disciplinarian. One time she hit Alan on the elbow with a rolling pin after he sat at the table making little balls of pastry which he would then flick into the main bit of the pastry.
On Sunday mornings Eric Bartlett would collect Alan to go to the Bonnet for a drink and June would be making buns and cakes. They’d apparently get a firm cuff round the ear when they’d dip their fingers into the cake mixture. June’s cakes were renowned in Ashdon and for many years she baked endless cakes for the cricket teas
The new year of 2003 saw the death of Norman on 1 January, and then 2 days later June’s beloved husband Stan. All those who were here four years ago at their double funeral will remember how the whole village expressed their sympathy for June and Alan. Whilst Sheena and Alan have been clearing out June’s house they found more than 100 cards of sympathy. I can remember being at the funeral sitting over there looking at June, thinking how on earth can you cope with this. But she did. Because that’s what she knew she had to do.
She had to embark on a new life living on her own. For the last 50 years of her life she’d been used to looking after a houseful of men. Then suddenly she was alone. As expected she just got on with it as women of her generation did.
The tragedy was that since their married life June and Stan only had one day alone in the house together – the day after Norman died. It was even sadder that Stan died only two months before their golden wedding anniversary.
June was lucky to have caring neighbours. Dawn and Helen and Kim and Keith . It has been a huge comfort to Alan and Sheena knowing that they were there, always checking on June making sure she was OK.
Helen has recalled she heard a banging one evening and she jumped up from the sofa thinking that June was in trouble. She ran round next door to find June standing there wondering what all the commotion was about. June had only been banging a giant bar of chocolate on the mantelpiece to break it!
June looked forward to being a frequent visitor at Hall Farm, she especially enjoyed her Sunday roasts with Jane and Garry and Sheena and Alan. Apparently she wasn’t too pleased if she had to miss a Sunday for any reason.
October 2004 brought a big shock for June when Sheena and Alan announced they were going to have a baby. A number of you here will remember that my father, in his shy and retiring way, announced it at his 75th birthday party. Alan had prewarned June in his own characteristically blunt way by walking though the door and saying “Mother, you’re going to be a grandmother.” June was almost rendered mute. It was just a shame that Alan and Sheena hadn’t worked out what do a few years earlier so Stan could have shared in the joy too.
I think after Sheena and Alan had been together for 22 years everyone had given up all hope. You never know, they might even get married one day!
It proved to be the biggest and proudest shock of June’s life. From the day Zoe was born she was so proud and most definitely the doting grandmother. Stan would have also adored Zoe and been the doting grandfather.
June talked of little else to her friends and family than Zoe. And her house was full of pictures of her. She took great pleasure in showing them off to any visitor.
Zoe adored her grandmother who she called Dubada. June loved reading her stories and during their Sundays at the farm would go for walks in the orchard and chase her round and round the dining room table. Funnily enough, Zoe always won.
In July 2007 June had a fall at home and broke her hip. Even when the outlook was bleak, she never moaned. She carried on as normal and continued to cherish the time she had left with Zoe.
After another fall on 1 November she was taken to Hospital where she was diagnosed as having had a stroke. It was a shock to Alan and Sheena as it was made clear that June had little time left and would never return to 8 Rogers End. June was very confused initially and did not know some of the things she was saying. For example she looked at Alan and asked if he had a gun. Sheena then asked, why, who do you want to shoot? And her reply straight away was HRH the Duke of Edinburgh.
However, the one thing she was never confused about, right up until the day she died was Zoe. Sheena and Alan will always remember the day they took Zoe to see June. The day before she hadn’t recognised Sheena or Alan. When they arrived June was in a deep sleep but the nurse managed to wake her. Alan was holding Zoe in his arms and she just stared at Alan and Sheena. But when the nurse asked her who Alan was holding, her reply was: “That’s my granddaughter Zoe. Isn’t she gorgeous!”
Alan and Sheena will remember that moment forever.
June died in her sleep on 13 November after having had a wonderful life and marriage with Stan. She gave birth to a loyal, loving son, who visited her every day, and she loved her granddaughter Zoe. She’ll be missed by everyone in Ashdon, where she had lived for more than fifty years.
We’ve come together to remember June today, to celebrate the fact that we were part of her life. We thank God for her, and pray that he takes her to a better place.
