The most general and indeed generous reaction to Jane’s death, was the outpouring of love and generosity at the time of her funeral. Lisburn Cathedral was filled with friends, family, Jane’s colleagues from the schools she had taught at, Michael’s colleagues from Solectron and Nortel, together with some of Jane’s past pupils. Several friends had made the special effort to travel from England to be there on the day. To see so many there at short notice for a midweek service was a tremendous statement of the love they have for Jane and the family.
We had asked for donations to two charities in lieu of flowers. A staggering £1,490 was given. This was divided equally between “The Friends of the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast” and Hospice at Nottingham that had cared for Jane before she returned home for the last few weeks of her life.
Some folk have gone on to do specific fund raising things in Jane’s memory. In March 2001, Jane had put in a couple of lenghts in support of a team of ladies from the Cathedral who had completed 5,000 metres in the Swimathon, which raises funds for several cancer charities.Some of the team swam again in 2002. The brass plaque above the Coat of Arms reads
SWIMATHON 2002
Awarded to Heather Duggan, Dawn Hamilton & Jill Lester
In Memory of Jane High
By Harry Lewis Chairman of Leisure Services Committee