Page 294 - She's One Crazy Lady!

“Bloody No“
to invite them to say a few words. They loved it really and they were very good for they were as passionate as I was – and knew the story! Marilyn was the one who would discretely cough if I was running overtime – her eyes on her watch – she knew I loved to talk. Other volunteers who readily agreed to come with me weren’t aware that I would suddenly put them on the spot and there were always looks of horror when I did but, with encouragement, they were great too and wanted to come to more!
One day, ‘Janet’ joined me and she jokingly said, “Don’t you dare make me say anything Glennis!” I didn’t answer. We were in a church, talking to a U3A group and as we arrived a very kind man came and helped us bring everything in from the car.
“I’m afraid there’s not many here today so I hope you’re OK with that.” I assured him we were.
I can see it now. If Janet was shocked or annoyed about anything she would often come out with a phrase that had a swear word in it. It was never meant to be offensive. We walked into the church and had to go upstairs. The kind man opened a door which led out to a balcony and in front of us sat hundreds of people! The church was packed and Janet and I were on full view – in the pulpit...
ra Glennis! Don’t you dare ask me to get up and say anything!” Did I? Of course I did and Janet was, as I knew she would
“Bloody Nora Glennis! Don’t you dare ask me to get up and say anything!” Did I? Of course I did and Janet was, as I knew she would be, brilliant. All members of our team loved being
involved too – some even preparing notes... just in case!
Deviation again here... as I tell you about ‘Janet’ – my ‘Surrogate Mum’. Janet (twenty years my senior) and I met when we both served on the Patient Public Council at Kettering General Hospital. We always found ourselves sitting together. Like me, Janet liked to see things through and was very much for improving patients’ experiences in hospital and wasn’t afraid to voice her constructive concerns and opinions. We got on well; she was so easy to talk to and had a wicked sense of humour. Janet became involved with Crazy Hats after she had been to our Celebration of Life Concert in Corby and became a lively and much-valued, much-loved Trustee – and a wonderful friend. Her sister had had breast cancer and shortly after we got to know her, her daughter was also diagnosed so Janet had a true affinity with what we were about. Together with her husband, Michael, they gave so much and loved to be involved in every activity we undertook – Michael ferrying Janet here, there and everywhere, helping us to set up and pack away and organising book sales to raise funds. Janet was always the life and soul of the party – as she is now. When Janet’s mobility and hearing became a problem and after she, sadly lost Michael to
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be, brillia”
nt.