Tributes to comedy star Bobby
‘Gregarious’ ex-market stall trader Jessie dies aged 103
TRIBUTES have been paid to a ‘gregarious’ former Rochdale market stall trader who has died, aged 103.
Jessie Jenkins passed away peacefully in hospital, with family by her side, after suffering a short illness, on October 16. Born in Rochdale as an only child, Jessie spent most of her life in the town apart from her late husband Eric’s retirement years when they were in Anglesey and then Lavister, on the EnglishWelsh border.
Shortly after Eric’s death in 1981, she returned to her home town and moved to a maisonette on Meadway, where she lived independently with help from carers until moving to Heywood Court Care Home just three months ago - where she was happy, and joined in with VJ Day celebrations.
In the 1950s she was a well-known face on the old Rochdale market where she worked on a salad and flower stall.
Her daughter Jean, a retired teacher from Castleton, said her mum had plenty of energy joining family on a dream cruise at the age of 97 for which she even obtained a new 10-year passport!
“She didn’t drink, but she loved her bingo and met old friends there,” said Jean. “She wasn’t one for having a wheelchair; she wouldn’t use it. She was very gregarious and she did like company.
“She asked me to put the Queen’s telegram in a frame at the care home. She thought she was
Queen Bee.”
Jessie marked her 103rd birthday in March on St Patrick’s Day with a party attended by loved ones travelling from far and wide. It was - perhaps fatefully - just days before a lockdown hit that would keep Jean from seeing her mum for much of her final weeks. I couldn’t go and see here in the care home - I could only speak to her on the phone,” said Jean. “It’s hard. She was in North Manchester General and I went in at 5.30 and she passed away at 8.30, so I had three hours with her. I hadn’t been able to see her for a while.”
Devoted wife to the late Eric, Jessie was dearly loved mother to Jean and the late Bob, as well as a treasured grandmother and great-grandmother.
Her funeral service will be held at Rochdale Crematorium on Monday, November 2 at 1pm. Family flowers only please. Donations received for the RSPB. Any enquiries to Rochdale Funeralcare.