Jean Nesbitt
18/05/1950 – 06/01/2026
THE funeral of Jean Nesbitt, formerly of Harperley Hall, took place at the Wear Valley Crematorium on February 11th.
The cortege entered to the music of Elvis Presley singing ‘Love Me Tender’ and the welcome to the congregation was made by Registrar and Celebrant, Gemma Dobson from Tow Law.
She began with a poignant poem and spoke the eulogy clearly and tenderly.
Jean was born in1950, to Ralph and Rene, the eldest of five children, four girls: Jean, Christine, Margaret and Ann then a long-awaited son, Brian. Even though money was tight, it was a very happy and loving family. Jean was always a quiet child who preferred to do her own thing in her own way. The family lived and grew up at Harperley Hall with the children attending the village school at Fir Tree.
Jean left Wolsingham School aged 15 and started work at Ramars clothing factory as a presser where she worked diligently for over 25 years earning her a long service award. After the factory sadly closed, Jean took on the role of caring for her parents, sadly losing her mother in 2001. She carried on looking after her Dad until 2008 when he had to go into a nursing home and Jean unfortunately started to suffer with her own mental and physical health issues.
She moved into Southfield Lodge, Crook, where she spent 18 happy years, making friends with many of the staff who treated Jean with care and understanding for which the family will be eternally grateful.
Jean loved going into Crook every day, visiting many of the shops: Carmelinos Café for lunch then Tuesdays and Fridays would be her bingo days at Crook Working men’s club and nothing would stop her going to those. She loved her bingo, she loved to shop and if anything was on a special offer then she would buy it in every colour. Jean also loved playing bingo in Southfield Lodge and was a keen participant every time they had a fundraising tombola with her always being relied upon to buy tickets and was very lucky winning many, many prizes.
Jean also liked to knit, she would spend hours making things and she would knit tank tops in every colour to the horror of her nieces who had to wear them. Jean also loved darts nights out, particularly presentation night and weekends at Crook Club as she loved a good singer and would happily sing along. She enjoyed day trips to South Shields or Whitley Bay to enjoy fish and chips and of course, shopping and bingo.
Even as Jeans health problems progressed, she had a brilliant memory for dates, never forgetting a birthday or anniversary, often reminding staff at Southfield about their own children and grandchildren’s birthdays. But most of all Jean loved her family, never really getting over the loss of her parents. She loved her siblings and thought the world of her nephews and nieces and great nephews and nieces, she was always very kind.
She was surrounded by photos of the children and just looking at them gave her so much pleasure. Jean had many friends over the years and enjoyed her life, even in the last few months, she stayed strong and would regularly say ‘well you just have to get on with it’.
So you are at peace at last Jean, you will always be remembered with love and affection.
Reflective music was played with ‘Let Me Go’ by Gary Barlow while those in the congregation remembered their own memories of Jean.
Gemma spoke some comforting, closing words before the Committal and the closing music of Halfway to Paradise by Billy Fury.
The closing collection was in aid of the Southfield Lodge Residents’ Fund.
Jean Nesbitt, a true Ramar girl, will be remembered by many for her quiet and calm outlook on life. She worked hard and she loved her family. She didn’t ask for much from life but was loved by her family and many others who knew and worked with her.
