Vicar’s wife made everyone feel welcome
Extra chairs were needed when about 300 people attended the funeral of a former Hollingbourne vicar’s wife on Wednesday.
They packed into St Mary’s Church in Lenham to remember Jan Fry.
The service was led by the Rev Phillip Norwood, who was Mrs Fry’s cousin and also a former vicar at Hollingbourne.
Mrs Fry was the wife of the Rev Nigel Fry, who retired in April after 12 years as priest in charge at Hollingbourne.
The couple had lived for many years in The Vicarage, and were planning to retire to Attwater Court in Lenham when Mrs Fry fell ill in April.
She was taken into hospital and died on June 9.
She had played an active role in village life until her illness and was particularly involved with the Hollingbourne Helpers organisation.
Born in South London, in 1938, she later moved to Kent when her father became the vicar of Boxley.
Mrs Fry attended Maidstone Girls’ Grammar School where she was keen on sport, particularly tennis. In adult life she liked to follow Kent County Cricket Club.
She had two children from her first marriage, before she married Mr Fry.
John Cobbett was among the mourners. He said: “Everyone in the village will tell you that Jan went out of her way to make people welcome at The Vicarage.
“She threw herself into the role of vicar’s wife with zest and enthusiasm.”
Mr Fry has been ill himself, but was able to attend the service using a walking frame and supported by relatives.