Tribute: Jane Toplis

Jane Toplis passed away peacefully after a brave fight with cancer at her Ellesborough Road home, on the evening of Monday, 30 October.

Jane was Clerk to Wendover Parish Council from 1989 – 2000. During that time Jane was the driving force behind the successful Parish Council, never settling for anything less than 110% effort. On her “retirement” she took up the role of Responsible Finance Office until 2003, then acted as a Parish Councillor until illness forced her to resign in December 2005. She sat on a number of charitable boards.

Jane also took over as Hon Secretary of The Wendover Society in 2000 but was forced to relinquish the post a few months ago as her cancer developed. She proved to be a first class secretary bringing an immense knowledge and background of the town and its inhabitants, gleaned from her many years as the Parish Clerk. Notwithstanding the huge handicap of extremely poor eyesight she coped with the large volumes of paper and correspondence that are involved with an organisation having over 400 members and confronting many issues. Never ever afraid to speak her mind, no matter to whom if she felt the circumstances warranted it, she will be desperately missed by both the Society’s Executive Committee and all the many members who knew her.

A Celebration of Life was held at 12 noon on Tuesday 14 November (it would have been her 68th birthday) at St. Mary’s Church, Wendover.