Special service will remember the life of much-loved mum - The Worcester Observer

Special service will remember the life of much-loved mum

Worcester Editorial 3rd Dec, 2020   0

A MEMORIAL service will be held next year to remember a beloved mum and grandmother who devoted much of her working life in local newspapers.

Jill Cale nee Curnock passed away at the end of October at the age of 83 after a short illness.

She was born in Worcester in 1937 and attended Claines School and then Christopher Whitehead Senior Girls School.

As a young girl Jill enjoyed being in Claines Guides, dancing and acrobatics, and performed at the Worcester Royal Theatre.




On leaving school she worked at David Greggs as a cashier, she helped at the corner shop on Colin Road, Worcester when it first opened, and as an accountant at the Co-Operative Coal Office which is where she met Roy Cale, who later became her husband.

Jill and Roy married at Claines Church in April 1957 and started their married life with Jill’s family in Whinfield Road.


Their first child Annette, was born in 1960, and in 1963 they moved to their own house in St John’s. Their second daughter Lorraine was born in 1965.

Despite moving to St Johns, Jill remained involved with Claines Wives Fellowship and held many committee roles and was a very active member of the Wives Drama group. She also enjoyed skittles, playing for many years in Worcester Ladies Skittle League.

Jill’s working life continued after the children were born, as Area Manager for Vernons Pools and updating reference books for RIBA all over the Midlands and before we had computers.

Then in 1977 she joined the directors of the first free newspaper in Worcester, the Worcester Source and managed all the distribution across the city before she moved into the accounts department.

Worcester Source changed to the Worcester Standard when it became part of the Bullivant group of newspapers and Jill continued in the accounts department for Bullivant Media, publishers of the Worcester Observer, in Worcester, Bidford on Avon and Redditch.

Following her retirement, Jill retained many friendships with her past work colleagues.

In retirement Jill and Roy supported The Royal British Legion and its annual Poppy Appeal. Jill started a ladies group in Claines called CASS, took many roles with Ombersley Drama Group both acting and singing and was a founder member of Claines Amateur Theatre Society (CATS).

From an early age St John Baptist Church Claines had been a big part of Jill’s life. She has been a member of the PCC, a sidesperson and over the years has helped to raise funds for the church as well as a regular worshiper.

Jill and Roy were married for more than 59 years and devoted their lives to their family and friends. Annette and her husband Stan had two children Alice and John and Lorraine and her husband Kevin had three boys, Luke, Mark and James.

Jill and Roy were very proud of all their achievements with so many shared memories of family parties, outings and holidays. Jill even got her first passport in 2018 and visited Ireland, France and Belgium.

Jill and Roy spent time with friends, on their many coach holidays and meals out. After losing Roy in 2017 this was something Jill still found enjoyable and continued to holiday and have meals with friends.

Jill was still very close to her sister, Ann and brothers John and Brian. Although John had moved to South Wales to be nearer his daughter they all still had their regular get togethers and meals in Worcester.

Annette, Lorraine and their families said: “We would like to thank everyone for their kind expressions of sympathy.

“We know how fortunate we have been to share the love and friendship of our wonderful mum with you all.

“As a family we want to celebrate Jill’s life and a memorial service at Claines church will be arranged next year where we hope you will join us.”

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