Roundhill Flower and Garden Club – Obituray for Mrs Jean Hill MBE
With great sadness we learned of the death of Mrs Jean Hill, MBE.
As Founder President, Jean was fundamental in creating Roundhill Flower and Garden Club, which we have continued to enjoy for over 50 years.
Born in Newbold Verdon in 1927, she developed a love of flowers and plant material as a result of helping her father on his allotment, a keen gardener seriously injured serving during World War One.
After studying nursing, then working as a dental nurse, Jean married Alan Hill in 1948. His service as RAF ground crew during World War Two brought the couple to Gaddesby after Alan obtained work in Rearsby. The couple had two daughters, Diana and Trish, who gave Jean a grand-daughter, plus two great-granddaughters.
It was from Gaddesby that Jean began her dedication to flower arranging which lasted the rest of her life. Building a business in East Goscote, ‘The Studio’, she taught members of Womens’ Institutes and flower clubs to create floral displays at various venues. Jean also took on the huge responsibility of flowers for weddings.
In 1969, she was one of a group of women who initiated Roundhill Flower and Garden Club, originally meeting at Roundhill Academy, Melton Road, from where the club took its name.
By the late 1960’s Jean’s dedication to flower arranging, and the joy it can bring, involved her in organising flower festivals in local and national venues, including major displays at St. Paul’s Cathedral; Westminster Abbey; and Chatsworth House.
Raising over £250,000 in aid of a variety of charitable causes, it was no wonder that in 1995 Jean was mentioned in The Queen’s Birthday Honours List, receiving the MBE.
Trish is quoted as saying, “When the letter arrived mum was absolutely stunned. It was wonderful she got it because she so enjoyed arranging floral displays in the local churches and chapels as well as the big cathedrals.”
When Alan passed away in 2005, after 57 years of marriage, Jean continued her love of flower arranging, along with her devotion to the church. As a Warden at St. Luke’s, Gaddesby she continued to organise flower festivals in aid of funds.
By her early 90’s age meant a move into residential care at Egerton Lodge, Melton Mowbray, chosen for its beautiful garden. In her final days Jean told family, ‘I’ve had a wonderful life’.
In tribute, Trish said, “Mum listened to people and liked to help people. She had a strong sense of right and wrong and a lot of people admired and liked her. She loved living at Egerton Lodge and I can’t talk highly enough of the staff there.”
Roundhill members echo the sentiments about her personality, owing an enormous debt to the education and enjoyment Jean’s work gave us as members of a NAFAS flower-arranging club.
Her funeral was held at Loughborough Crematorium mid-September. Owing to Covid restrictions only immediate family could attend. It is intended to arrange a memorial service enabling the many colleagues and friends of Jean to pay tribute.