Jill Goddard

I met Jill through Aldersbrook PrimarySchool PTA. We spent many hours in meetings, serving tea and standing in the drizzle selling things to raise funds. Jill was always cheery and chatty. I was always a bit moany. Jill never was. A few years ago I bought her a cow shower cap for her birthday. Bit of a strange choice but I thought she’d like it. She didn’t open it at the time but the next day I got, by text, the single word ‘Moo’. Remembering it still makes me smile as it did when she sent it. I’ll always remember Jill with a smile and will miss her kindness and friendship xx

Jill was a wonderful friend and I remember our first conversation was around the dangers of wearing doc marten sandals as we stood in the playground waiting for our children to come out of primary school over 20 years ago. I’d always tell her off for giving me random gifts throughout the year (a lot of which involved daffodils) which she always ignored. She and I shared an architect at one point and she was a wonderful mediator when he and I fell out spectacularly and was my mouthpiece and told me in no uncertain terms when to shut up in a three way meeting when I had to hand over money to him. In more recent years she was always there to hear my woes and never wanted to burden me with hers. She was always naughty and had an irreverent look on the world…something I will always cherish and will sorely miss. Above all she was a kind and loving friend

Sweets!!! Don’t get me wrong, there was so much more to Jill, but she’d never forgive me if I didn’t mention sweets. She would visit with arm loads of sweets and always had sweets ready to hand. Even in hospital she sent me off to buy loads of them. However, on a more serious note, Jill was extraordinarily generous. Generous with her time, her hospitality, her empathy and her care for others. She was one of life’s givers and will be sorely missed within our family. We loved her. Silly Jacci.

We enjoyed meeting up with Jill and the Wanstead branch of the family in foreign lands. Jill was always good fun and loved the sunshine. Love Chris and Mary

Jill was never afraid to ask the ‘awkward aunty questions’ which always made us smile. Always cheeky and inquisitive! It was great for me and Florence to spend time with her this year, and wonderful to watch her and Florence chatting away at each other, teaching her the Goddard ways! Jill’s spark will be very missed xx

Jill was a good neighbour who turned into a great friend to me. She was kind and funny and we would put the world to rights over many a cup of tea on a Saturday morning. For any crisis, Jill would be there with practical help and words of advice. She once drove me to Stansted early one morning when I was on a mercy mission to see a sick relative. Jill had the ability to see the absurd and ridiculous side of situations and had a great sense of humour. We went to see the Barbie film together and Jill dressed in pink (ironically!) and we howled with laughter at some of the scenes. The last time I saw her in the hospital, I brought her a glass bottle of cordial and asked Jill where to put it. She pointed to her bedside cabinet and neither of us noticed that there was a swivelling fan on the cabinet which then swiped the bottle onto the floor with a crash. I was looking forward to having Jill back across the road and I know that she couldn’t wait to get back home with her family, to whom she was devoted. I will miss her hugely. X

I first met Jill nearly 27 years ago when we were dropping our respective babies off at nursery. We bonded instantly, listening and supporting each other on first time mum concerns esp about our worries in the early days of nursery on whether our babies would be ok without us. Jill became a very close friend and I will always remember her kindness, generosity, empathy and her cheeky sense of fun. Jill was very charitable and would always find time for others. Jill was as a fantastic friend and we spent many hours over the years discussing and laughing about family events and life in general. I will miss Jill deeply and treasure the memories I have of her. Rest in Peace lovely Jill ❤️

I met Jill through book club. I loved all the many reasons behind her book choices (yes, we did once read a book called Jill!) and the thoughtful comments she contributed to our monthly sessions. Our meetings were always a mixture of book related chat, non book related chat and laughter, and we miss her presence.

Jill was part of our ‘Famous Five’ bunch. I first met ‘Jill with a J’ when she started as the Respiratory Specialist Nurse in Newham. I was a district nurse and was delighted she was in post to advise on a couple of patients on my caseload who we didn’t have a handle on. Jill always ‘got’ things quickly, was knowledgeable, and had a good professional instinct. She became a great friend, and an important part of the FF crew. She arranged a lovely afternoon tea as a ‘not-a-hen-do’ event for me, on Sheila’s birthday, she spearheaded us all in wearing stripey tops in Sheila’s honour (who always wears stripes), she urged us to bring shower hats, dressing gowns and loofahs to ‘christen’ Karen’s new bathroom, and many more japes. She was very generous – often producing a bar of chocolate for us or little gift. In recent times, we became breakfast buddies having coffee and croissants at hers or mine before I started work. As part of her rehab! I cherish the last time the FF were all out together. Despite her health challenges, Jill always focused on others and remembered details of our lives. She was forthright and direct, funny and irreverent. As others have said, she was a lovely friend. Special.

We met at Soft Play in Leytonstone and immediately bonded whilst pulling out our kids from under blocks and balls! I loved her quick wittiness and humour. We spent many an hour debating politics, religion and putting the world to rights over a cuppa or glass of wine. Jill was generous in spirit and hugely caring. I appreciated her practical nature – she always ensured everyone had enough food and was well cared for. She would drop everything in an emergency and help out where she could. Jill was so kind and thoughtful. She was strongly ambitious and worked incredibly hard, whilst also bringing up her children with Pete. I’m sure she will have had a really positive impact on patient outcomes and contributed to Public Health. Despite many health challenges she looked to the future and the next steps. She was always interested in what everyone was doing and was a very faithful godmother to my son. Jill – may your soul rest in peace. We love you; you will be sorely missed. ❤️

Jill was one of the first people I met at university in She was a bundle of fun from day one. I don’t think I’d ever met anyone who combined uncanny intelligence with such a boisterous, down-to-earth sense of humour. I remember asking her in our hall of residence bar what her course was and she proudly told me she was going to be a Degree Nurse. I had no idea what she was talking about at the time, but soon realized that it was also her calling. At university she made the hard work of academia seem easier but on the wards of the Manchester Royal Infirmary she also revealed that she truly loved people. The four years I spent being her boyfriend while we were at university were some of the happiest years of my life. After university, I ended up moving to Germany and we were only sporadically in touch. I am devastated by what has happened and wish to express my deepest sympathies to the family. We have all lost an amazing, beautiful, caring person who had so much love for everyone around her.

I first met Jill when she came to Newham to work as a specialist respiratory nurse in 1996. She spent a day with me as part of her induction & she made me laugh so much. She was such a clever, kind & fun person. The FF group was formed in Newham & over the years we have had so many great times & lovely memories. Despite her illness she always remembered to ask about our families & she particularly loved to keep up to date with the newest member of my family – Lola our labrador. Jill was so proud of Jess & Ollie & always talked so fondly of all their achievements and also of Pete & all his love & support We will miss you loads Jill x

Jill and I worked together some years back now in Newham . She was always the go to person for anything to do with Asthma which was her absolute  passion . Her knowledge base was huge and she shared this openly and widely always thinking about her patients . I very much appreciated her dry humour and cheeky grin and her smiling eyes .  RIP Jill and condolences to her family and friends . 

I met Jill 27 years ago when our daughters started nursery around the same time. I remember being so impressed during one of our early conversations when Jill told me she wasn’t long back from a family camping holiday with a 3 month old baby, not something I could have done. That was Jill really – very capable and so adventurous, there was nothing she wouldn’t try. She was always lots of fun and loved doing lots of different things. Our daughters became best friends at nursery and living just a few roads apart Jill and I became close discussing kiddie issues and doing lots of play dates, childrens parties and soft plays together before progressing to lunches and dinners out without the children. Jill was great fun and I always enjoyed my time with her. She was so generous with her time and was one of life’s givers, helping others and raising funds for charities even when her children were little. I will miss Jill enormously and will never forget her. She will always be in my heart. RIP Jill xxx

Dear Jill  I can never truly recall the date or year we met but we , as the Famous Five , have been a part of each other’s lives for so long you will be much missed .   I have a jumble of memories , mainly of laughing – both through our  times together working as colleagues in Newham & Tower Hamlets, and as friends  The Friday education sessions at Newham were a continued source of merriment when you would deliver very serious , detailed medical presentations – and we would avoid making eye contact for fear of dissolving into fits of giggles .  As a friend you helped us out when we moved (in I think 2005) into a flat in Limehouse . We needed to find a home for our cat . You , and the family took little Brandy for us and providing a loving home for her . You kept us regularly updated on her progress & cat based shenanigans. When  we went to live  in Spain in 2008 you sent photos & updates which we both appreciated .  Im sure all of your family have found memories of Brandicus ’ Over the years our FF outings (described in detail by Janet & Carmel ) have provided many great memories and despite me living in Spain for 8 years niw we  kept in touch and saw  each other annually . You were the only person since school to call me Stubbsey – and that nickname always made me smile .  I feel incredibly lucky that I had the chance to see you at Whipps Cross earlier this year .  Carmel and I came in to visit in August – beating gifts (including sweets of course ) and found you in good spirits .   I remember thinking then that you were ‘on the mend ‘ . Indeed in your final WA message you said you were waiting for a rehab bed and so I’m writing this still in shock at your passing .   I don’t really think it has sunk in yet . The fact that you are gone for good .  Howver I take comfort in the thought of you sitting peacefully with Brandy on your lap , wearing purple amongst lavender fields .  With love and thank you for your friendship  RIP Jill with a J  Stubbsey xxxxx

Jill bought this poem to a FF Xmas Dinner and read it with such good humour . It reminds me of her always https://barbados.org/btaindex.htm

I was on Jill’s course at Manchester university and we always had our clinical placements together because our surnames began with the same letter. She also lived in Hulme hall over the road to my hall, so we often walked to classes together with Ciara. Add in Lee/Lilian and we were the fab four all doing the same course. Jill was a great nurse, always putting patients first and speaking out when things weren’t right. She excelled as a student, graduating with a first class honours degree at a time it was rare achievement. As a mate, she was fab – kind, supportive, funny. I remember many things she taught me over the years and many times we had fun together. It was lovely to reconnect with her over the past few months and reminded me what a fantastic person she was. Even when very unwell, she was still interested in how I was doing. I am sure she leaves behind a big hole in the family and I know how proud she was of you all. Sending Pete, Jess and Oli lots of love xxxxx

I first met Jill in Aldesbrook School playground when she approached me to ask if I could help her and others with a reorganisation of the library. How could I refuse? My son Rory and Oli were in the school nursery at the time so my friendship with Jill dates back 21 years or so. We quickly became friends and I have very happy memories of family trips to Stratford East for the panto (with Mini, Keith, Max and Leela) followed by supper back at one of our homes. This went on for several years and Jill and I kept going with the kids after the other adults politely excused themselves and all 3 families continued still the post panto suppers for some time. Jill’s life has not been an easy one in recent years but this never stopped her from continuing to be extremely good company. Always funny, curious and caring, I would come away from meeting her feeling uplifted. I was looking forward to outings together once she came out of hospital and I will miss her greatly. So glad to have been your friend Jill. Bob, Maeve and Rory all remember you too with love and fondness too.

Alison introduced Jill and me in 1989 when we were all in Sydney. Many jobs, laughs and babies later we stayed close. An unwavering, true and fun friend to the end – Jill, I miss you xxx

Jill and I met in 1973 when we moved to Stokesley in North Yorkshire – we were 6 years old and in Top Infants. Very quickly we became firm friends. It’s hard to think of those years in primary school without thinking of Jill as we were pretty much inseparable. As we were about to move up to secondary school there was no question that we would choose each other to be in the same form. But shortly before school began Jill’s dad was offered a job in Budapest and off Jill flew on her Hungarian adventure. After a year in Budapest, Jill came back to England to board at Harrogate Ladies College. We had a very regular correspondence and the letters from Clarence Drive telling of her regulation bottle green knickers, lacrosse exploits and trips out and about in town in her school cloak felt to me like something from an Enid Blyton novel. Jill came back to Stokesley for 6th form, we reconnected and a new friendship grew. She was fun and irreverent, certainly louder and more exuberant than the teenager I’d become. As I reflect, rather than a friendship of two identical pieces, as it had felt when we were children, it was now a friendship of two different yet complimentary pieces, the ying and the yang. We had a most excellent joint 18th birthday party (our birthdays being just 3 weeks apart) before heading off to university. As our studies drew to a close I was planning a 6 month trip to Australia. We were chatting on the phone over the Christmas holidays and I asked Jill if she wanted to join me – I’d been planning to go alone but I knew it would be so much more fun together. So in August 1989 we set off on our Australian adventure – a formative time when I think we both grew up a lot and our friendship transitioned from childhood to adult friends. You get to know someone extremely well when you share a room for 6 months and travel around Australia by bus together. The red glasses case to ensure she could find it when she’d taken her glasses off, the ever present Vaseline for her face, her mocking exasperation that it took me the entire trip to read Anna Karenina, the Crunchie moments we indulged in on a regular basis and her dogged commitment to convert me into a beer drinker. So many happy shared memories. In the early 90’s we began living and working in London and although we worked hard in our new careers, as carefree 20-somethings there was lots of fun to be had. Jill was the first in our group to get married and have children and, in Pete, I don’t think she could have found a kinder, funnier and more dependable life partner. I moved back to Yorkshire shortly after Jess was borne so our friendship has been a largely long distance affair for many years. Always eager to know all about what was happening in my life, her care and concern for others was a constant theme in our conversations. At the end of this year I am go back to Australia for the first time since my trip with Jill and I still can’t quite believe that I won’t be able to share it with her. All my love to Pete, Jess and Oli xx

I am sorry that I am not able to share in person the happy memories I treasure of training with Jill at Manchester University. As one of the ‘Fab four’ (she obviously liked these group names!) I had the privilege of training alongside Jill who was committed and passionate about nursing. We shared a journey of experiences(black humour and all) that formed us as degree nurses. Most of all I remember the sparkle in her eye, the laughs we had and what a loyal friend she was. It has been lovely to read all the memories shared which create the picture of Jill’s life and how she brought joy and friendship to everyone. My thoughts are with all of Jill’s family and friends today and hope you can draw comfort from the sharing of love about a wonderful individual.

In loving memory of Jill xx (Mum has donated, but is showing as anonymous . As have Russell and I). So very sorry for your loss x 

Peggy and I have been completely overwhelmed by the letters, cards and messages from Jill’s friends, colleagues and relatives remembering our daughter with enormous love and affection. We also had the pleasure of meeting a lot of them at her memorial service and lunch at The Holly Tree. It blew us away how much she had meant to so many people from early school days, through a nursing and public health career, marrying Pete, raising Jessica and Oliver then latterly with Redbridge food bank. Two songs (on YouTube) from her childhood come to mind that to us epitomise her character. Firstly as a Bringer of Joy: “The Candyman” song from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – Sammy Davis Jnr. The Candywoman can cause she mixes it with love and makes the world taste good Secondly as an optimistic planner and project manager  “The Donut Song” by Burl Ives. As you go through life make this your goal Watch the donut, not the hole

So sad to hear this and shocked that I have not known this for a year and a half. Jill your kindness can never be forgotten. You always made it a point to check in with me if you felt I looked upset or something you noticed in a meeting that might have been upsetting. You didn’t need to, you were not my Manager, our work area hardly overlapped. But you always did because of the goodness of your heart. And I will never forget that x