Some thoughts from colleagues at Jackie's last job, including a eulogy from Lizzie Fagg at the funeral. Owen asked me here to speak as a former colleague of Jackie’s, given that work was a very large and important part of her life; I met Jackie when she interviewed me for the role I currently hold at Premier Choice Group, but little did I know that my new boss would soon become my ally and my mentor, both in and out of work. Jackie was a professional through and through. She was strong, clever, forceful and focussed, and had a massive influence on the direction of the business as well as the staff at Premier, as I’m certain she did for her other employers before. She’s the only non-actor I know that had a “stage name” to retain her reputation in her chosen industry! From my experience, she never rushed or flapped, she always brought a calmness to the room and made everyone see the sense in her suggestions, no matter how controversial or revolutionary they sounded at first. She had a brilliant way with people, not taking any nonsense yet never belittling anyone. I can still hear her jovial disapproval when I made a silly mistake, and her complete bewilderment when I asked permission for something she would expect me just to do. If she was ever disappointed in me, she hid it well as I only ever felt supported, encouraged and praised. Jackie was, and still is, an absolute inspiration to me; empowering me to own my role, developing me and my colleagues as well as the company around us. Beyond work, Jackie and I saw eye-to-eye, quite literally as tall women, and we could sit and chat for hours about nothing and everything all at once. When Jackie left the company, we made sure to keep in touch regularly, meeting for dinner at each other’s houses and, more recently, video-calling. Regardless of what she was going through, she would always be so positive and passionately selfless, caring more about my business than hers. She was always so keen to hear about work - I kept her up to date on the legacy she instigated unfolding at the office, and she would gently remind me that I needed to update an out-of-date policy on the website! As a company, we were devastated to hear Jackie’s diagnosis all those months ago, we were sad but supportive when we she departed the business but now we are truly bereft. On sharing the sad news with my colleagues, many replied immediately with thoughts and memories – I’ve collated some to read to you now: Jackie was a fine, professional lady and true spirit that benefited all she worked with. She was strong minded, inspirational and courageous, using her experience and talents to guide and support others. Everyone who met her instantly respected her and listened to what she had to say. We were lucky to have her only for a short while but she changed our business for the better. She was pivotal in many of us joining or staying with PCG. Jackie was a very kind and considerate person who shared many ideas in work as well as helping in a personal capacity. She had time for everyone and was a true inspiration. She was a fighter right to the very end and the world has lost a truly incredible lady. We will never forget her and are grateful for the time that we had together. She will be sorely missed. Everyone wished Owen, Hugo and Oliver, as well as Jackie’s extended family and friends, to know that you have our deepest sympathies and are firmly in our thoughts. I’m truly honoured to have been invited here today - to remember Jackie, to celebrate her life and mourn our tragic loss in her passing – but I stand here today proud, and privileged, to not only have worked alongside the incredible powerhouse woman that Jackie was in business, but also to have called her my friend. She’s someone who I sadly only knew for a fraction of her life but also someone who I know has changed mine forever. Thank you. Lizzie Fagg Marketing Manager Messages from Team PCG Jackie was an incredible woman. She was strong minded and inspirational, using her experience and talents to guide and support others. Everyone that met her instantly respected her and listened to what she had to say. We weren’t lucky enough to work with Jackie for very long, but the time that we did get changed the company and us as individuals for the better. We will never forget her and are grateful for the time that we had together. Jo Connell-Laffar Head of Client Services I would like the family to know how influential she was to me personally. A more kind, caring and courageous woman, you couldn’t wish to meet and the world is a sadder place without her. My thoughts and wishes to the family. Steve Necchi Field Engineer Manager Jackie was professional, caring and thoughtful to all of her team members. The positive impact Jackie had on our business and personal lives will remain with us forever. Her ability to make us (especially me and Neil) see it her way which always proved to be the best way, was an art in itself! She was great woman who will be greatly missed but never forgotten. Nick Stansfield Director Jackie was an incredible lady who really did help me personally and our company grow positively. She had time for everyone and was a true inspiration. She’ll be missed. Chanell Tomkins Billing and Operations Manager My regards to the family - a lovely lady for whomever I wouldn't be with premier either. The world is that bit sadder. Simon Parker Field Engineer So so sad ☹ I was thinking about her this morning when I walked the dog it’s so strange how that happens. She was a fighter right to the very end and the world has lost a truly incredible lady. I remember saying to her “get you with your personalised number plate! She said very few people know what it stands for” I guessed it first time 😉 it was Hugo, Oliver and Owen. I think this shows how much she loved her family. She was so influential for me and so many that worked with her, she will be greatly missed. Send my best wishes to her family x Ben Turner Projects and Service Delivery Manager Such sad news. What a strong forceful focused lady we were lucky to have her only for a short while but she changed our business 360 degrees for the better. In my working life I have met many male and female colleagues she had a way of listening to you then just did it her way knowing it was better. Such a massive influence on our people and direction of the business that will never be forgotten. I’m pleased that Jackie spent her last days around her family. Neil Redding Director I wish the family my deepest sympathy in this time, Jackie was a very kind and considerate person to myself and we shared many ideas in work and she helped me and my family in a personal capacity. She will [be] sorely missed. Stephen St Croix Senior Field Engineer