Jean Marion Cartmell (nee Watkinson) was born at home in Blackpool on 11 January 1940 to Ethel and Harry Watkinson. She was somewhat of a ‘miracle’ arrival, coming into the world after it was thought that her mother was no longer able to conceive. Ethel and Harry also had another daughter, Amy, who was 18 years older when Jean was born. Jean was a fit and energetic child who loved acrobatics. She attended Devonshire Primary School where her favourite subject was ‘playground’.
Jean went on to attend Tyldesley Secondary School, leaving when she was 15 years old. It was during that year that Jean lost her father to cancer, a significant event that would later influence her preference for her own children to take up ‘science’ subjects rather than the ‘Arts’ or ‘Humanities’. Jeans schooling years were dominated by her strongest talents – sewing, acrobatics and ballet. It was during this time that Jean learnt the art of sewing from her favourite teacher and quickly developed this artform into a lifelong passion that would sustain her and her family for years to come. Jean was also a talented acrobat and ballerina who performed to such a high standard that she was invited to perform for Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth ll for the Royal Performance at the Blackpool Opera House in 1955 as part of the Tower Ballet.
Unsurprisingly, Jean was an adept hand with many talents but after many other employment opportunities, she took up employment in a Lace and Clothing Shop where she pursued her passion for sewing. Jean stayed with this shop until well after she was married.
Jean first met Derek Cartmell, a handsome young man while still at school. Derek, who would later join the Royal Navy, was a bit slow on the uptake and didn’t start dating Jean until she was 18. It was then that they started what would be a lifelong romance only separated by his sea voyages. Derek proposed to Jean in Blackpool in 1959 and were married in 1960. Their honeymoon was short again because of Derek’s naval sea commitments but regardless they became practiced at making the most of their time together. Strangely but almost like clockwork, it seemed that every time Derek returned from sea, the pit-a-patter sound of little feet dutifully appeared nine months later. Jean and Derek were fortunate to have four children all born at home in the UK. Their first daughter Karen was born in 1961. She was followed by Caroline in 1964, Lorraine in 1966 and finally Russell in 1972. Derek left the Royal Navy in 1968 and Jean and Derek started a Fish and Chip Shop in Manchester making it into a very successful business that they operated for six years.
In 1974, Jean and Derek made the big decision to uplift their tribe from their close-knit family in the UK and take an adventure of a lifetime to resettle in New Zealand. Derek left for New Zealand in early March 1974 with Jean, Jeans mum Ethel ‘Granny’ and the children joining him three weeks later. On arrival in New Zealand, Derek took on several employment opportunities before taking up an appointment with the New Zealand Prison Service, as the Maximum-Security Unit at Paremoremo Prison. As a family they initially moved to Birkenhead, then Rothesay Bay before settling in Glenfield Auckland, where they made a very happy home where their children prospered. It was during this time that Jean also worked as a strawberry picker where she earnt the nickname ‘Pinky’ as well as being a highly sought-after seamstress. She was equally gifted with a needle and thread as she was with a pair of knitting needles. As a result, the family was always immaculately dressed, with no end of homemade knitted toys to play with. She always made a point of being at home to greet her children when their school day ended to ensure that they never walked into a darkened home.
Jean was very driven in improving the children’s future and the family’s prospects no matter what the cost. Christmas was always a big affair for the family as Jean always made sure that the children had enormous Santa sacks that were ‘full to popping’. Though money was tight, Christmas was always special. Everything just had to be ‘Brilliant’!!
In 1988, Jean and Derek decided to leave their respective jobs and start as pet store owner- operators. Over a 15 year period they operated two highly successful pet stores. Jean was often found at the counter while Derek was always preparing grain or cleaning aquariums.
Jean and Derek retired from the pet store and stayed in New Zealand while their children established successful careers. In 2009, Jean and Derek again made a life changing decision and moved to Australia. They originally started in Jerrabomberra, New South Wales but finally settled in Albany Creek in Brisbane’s north in 2015. Jean continued with her passion for knitting, ensuring that every grandchild had knitted keep sakes to treasure from their ‘Granny’ in later years. Both Jean and Derek really enjoyed Bingo and finally being able to take things a little slower after their years of constant hard work.
Happy and content and enjoying her later years, it was with an enormous shock that Jean was suddenly rushed to hospital on the Thursday of 25 July 2019 where she passed quickly from us with, her as always, lifetime partner and best friend Derek close by.
Jean is survived by her husband Derek, children Caroline, Lorraine and Russell; and grandchildren Laura, Harrison, Benjamin, Emily, Jeremy, Daniel and Nicholas.
Vale Jean Marion Cartmell.
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