SARAH ANN JEFFERY

DEATH OF DEPUTY MAYORESS

MRS. JEFFERY'S STERLING WORK FOR GOOD CAUSES

Great sympathy is felt for Councillor R.F. Jeffery and members of the family in the death of Mrs. Jeffery, Deputy Mayoress of Newbury, which took place at 33 Berkeley-road on Friday morning. A year ago, nearly at the close of her husband's mayoralty, she underwent a serious operation in Newbury District Hospital, and she was still in hospital when he handed over the reins of his office. Since then she has been confined to her bed for most of the time, but never once have her spirits drooped or has she lost her cheerful outlook on life, neither has her interest diminished in the many good causes to which when active she had lent a ready hand.

Mrs. Sarah Ann Jeffery was 62 years of age and was the daughter of the late Mr. David Stephens, a master builder, of Sutton, Surrey, who died many years ago. Her mother also passed away a long time since and Mrs. Jeffery is the last of her family. Her work in Newbury has been notable but ostentatious. When she was Mayoress, she remained her real self, homely, approachable, helpful, eager to do a good turn for anyone in need, willing to undertake any duties within her power, and she loyally supported her husband in the many engagements which he was called upon to fulfil.

She was one of the first collectors for the Hospital Contributory Scheme, and getting people to join was not an easy proposition. The Hospital had in her a good friend and energetic worker. She would always undertake arduous duties in connection with flag days, and each Poppy Day found her among those who bore the brunt of the work. She helped in the foundation of the Newbury branch of the Personal Services League and was elected its first president. This did not mean that she merely became its figure-head, for she knitted hundreds of garments in her spare moments. She was a member of the Brabazon Employment Committee, and used to attend regularly at the institution and help teach the old people to sew and use their knitting needles. They found her a cheerful companion and a sincere friend. She knitted with them and her sympathy and encouragement was greatly appreciated.

Another of her interests was in the nursing service. She was also in constant attendance at the Welfare Clinic at Greenham House, and here again she pulled her weight without making a fuss about it. In many quiet ways she did an immense amount of good and she will be greatly missed. Her passing may be regarded as a happy release from pain and suffering, but throughout a most trying ordeal, during which her husband has devoted himself whole-heartedly to looking after her, she bore up bravely and refused to give in. Only a few days before her death she was knitting away and hoping she would rally to continue to do what she could for others.

She is survived by her husband, two sons and one daughter.

THE FUNERAL

Members of the Town Council and many friends attended the funeral service which took place yesterday (Wednesday) at Newbury Parish Church and was conducted by the Rector, Canon W.L. Cooper. The hymns were “Book of Ages” and “Jesu lover of my soul.” The organist, Mr. Gilbert Sellick, F.R.C.O. played as the congregation were assembling Parry's “Elegy,” “Benedictus” by Mackenzie, and the Choral Prelude “O world I e'en must leave thee” by Brahms. At the conclusion of the service he played “Chopin's Funeral March.”

The family mourners were Councillor R.F. Jeffery (husband), Mr. and Mrs. W.E. Jeffery (son and daughter-in-law), Mr. and Mr. J.W. Haines (son-in-law and daughter, Mr. L.H. Jeffery (son), Mr. S. Jeffery (brother-in-law), Miss I. Jeffery (niece), Mrs E. Summers (sister-in-law), Messrs D. and H. Stevens (cousins) and Mr. and Mrs. H.G. Rowlands.

There follows a very long list of those attending and another of those who sent wreaths.

There is also a photograph of Mrs. Jeffery.

Newbury Weekly News 24 October 1935

Mrs. P p.7 S2 Died 18 October 1935

aged 62.

also – son Sidney Frank Jeffery died 18 November 1929 aged 31

and Kathleen Edith Jeffery died 5 February 1940 aged 41