belong to other churches. However, to pander to the little grey cells and
give the evening added spice Fr Michael O’Dea, the Roman Catholic priest
for this area, will spark off discussion of the person of St Joseph, who apart
from being the foster-father of our Lord and husband of the Blessed Virgin
Mary is also -— to my way of thinking — a greatly unsung New Testament
hero (his day is the 19th March).

Do come along and share in this time of fellowship! lt’s through meeting
together in a relaxed atmosphere that divided Christians get to know one
another better and the cause of unity becomes a more realistic possibility.

May they rest in peace!

Jean Esther Bright

GHR writes:

The question “And who is my neighbour?” is one that Jean Bright never
needed to ask because, as all realise who have had the joy of knowing her
in her forty-odd years of living in Bridge, she instinctively gave the answer
through the manner of her life.

Educated at first at the Persse School and then Brampton Down,
starting when the school was still in Kent, she went on to serve in the
WRNS, and then to qualify in Oxford for her 1ife’s work as an Occupational
Therapist, moving with her late mother to Canterbury in 1950. From
there, they both came on to Bridge in 1951, where she lived at first in
Weston Villas until after the death of her mother, for whom she had cared
devotedly; then moving in 1973 to Dering Close where she enjoyed the
happiest of companionship during her later working years, and those of her
retirement which were to be so sadly curtailed by illness.

The ‘job-title’ of Occupational Therapist masks the reality of what was a
profound understanding that Jean had for other people, their feelings, and
their needs, and which showed up alike in her work - the value of which,
and the esteem in which she was held for it, being indicated by the many
former colleagues who were present as old friends at her funeral — and in
all her daily contacts. If even some minor gadget existed which might ease
tasks or movement for someone who had perhaps never thought for
themselves of the need for it — then she would be there with the idea, and
(as often as not) the article itself. The same thoughtfulness went to the
choice of presents for friends, be it at birthdays or Christmas, with careful
prevision devoted to selection, and instant modest self-deprecation at
merited thanks.

This is but a mere skimming of examples of the sensitivity to the feelings
of others and the entire and intuitive unselfishness which, with a gentle
humour, characterised Jean’s living and being, together with an unfailing
hospitality of which the high point was always the annual Christmas
-morning party, dating from the days of her mother, which she continued
to hold with Betty, even until within a month of her death, welcoming
friends of every generation.

Illness she defied; enquiry she turned to one side, rather than speaking
of herself. In truth, everyone was ‘neighbour’ to her, and she to everyone;
though all will mourn her death, we can still gladly warm ourselves from
her example.

JP adds the following:

Jean had difficulty sleeping one night in the late 1960s when she lived in
the High Street at Bridge because of the heavy traffic noise of TIR vehicles,
since Bridge village was still the main A2 to Dover. She decided to give up
trying to sleep and listened to the Overseas Programme of the BBC which
was then the only 24-hour broadcasting in Britain. To her annoyance and
then amusement she heard an interview that had been recorded with
Brian Lewis, then a Bridge resident and Secretary of the A2 Group
describing the problem of traffic noise in the village. Jean supported the
Group very well. .

Dorothy Mary Shirley

Having been a life-long member of the Roman Catholic Church the funeral
service in St Peter’s Church, Bridge prior to interment in the churchyard of
Mrs Mary Shirley took the form of Requiem Mass celebrated by FrMichael
O’Dea. The Vicar read the Gospel and led the prayers. Mrs 0 I Knight
sends the following tribute to this much—loved and respected Bridge lady
who died on 26th January, aged eighty-four years:

The relations and friends of Mrs Mary Shirley met in Bridge Church on
Ffiday morning, 31st January for her funeral service and to give thanks for
her life and work, which centred particularly on the children of Bridge.

Mr and Mrs Samuel Shirley came to Bridge in the early 1950s to manage
the Post Office. Many older residents of Bridge and neighbouring villages
will remember Mary with aflection for her cheerful welcome and the
gentle response she gave customers.

After Mr Shirley died their son Lawrence took over the Post Office and
Mary joined the staff of Bridge School as secretary. She also helped with
remedial teaching, administered first-aid and comforted children when
they were distressed. Mary had reached retirement age when the school
moved from its original Victorian premises in Patrixboume Road to the
present site, and reluctantly we had to let her leave us. But she loved
children so much, she went on giving remedial teaching privately.

There must be many adults who were taught by Mary and remember
her with affection.

On The Nail Noticeboard

Life forLaura Baby Care Appeal -~

Last month a mother at the K & C Hospital had to be delivered in the
twenty-eighth week of pregnancy to save her baby. All the incubators in
the Special Care Unit were occupied.