John & Jean Gabbitas

John and Jean Gabbitas moved to Milbrook in Goodacres Lane Lacy Green in 1976.

Jean Gabbitas. Obituary Tribute by John Gabbitas

Jean was born on 11th June 1939 to James and Alice Russell. She died on 11th May 2017.

After spending her early life in the Birmingham area, where she qualified as a teacher specialising in Religious Education, she moved to Walters Ash with her husband John in 1967. In the next nine years, her life was taken up, in the main, in producing and caring for her four children. ln 1976, when a larger home was required, the family moved to Lacey Green.

After moving to Bucks, jean had started teaching at what was then Hatters Lane School for Girls.  Once the children were growing up, she continued her teaching career in various local schools, at Tylers Green and Stone.

On a separate trajectory, Jean’s political career, first as a Liberal, and then as a Liberal Democrat took off.  In 1985, after a very close fight, she was elected as Councillor to Wycombe District Council. Her ward included Lacey Green, Loosley Row and the Hampdens. She held this position until 1999. During the year 1995/ 1996, she served as Chairman of Wycombe District Council. See Councillors Wycombe District Council.

One of her main interests as a Councillor was to promote the voice of the farming community in Local Government. Largely as a result of her efforts, the Council formed a Farming Forum, which still exists today. She was also active as a member of the Planning Committee, and amongst her achievements were the establishment of the Village Shop in Speen (which still thrives), and the surgery and pharmacy in Hughenden Valley. She also participated in the working party for the building of the Swan Theatre in High Wycombe.

In order to progress her musical career she became a member of Princes Risborough Music Society and was very grateful to have the fellowship and stimulation of belonging to such a friendly choir, with a distinguished record of conductors and performances of interesting music. She also supported a number of local music festivals.

She was particularly proud to be a member of St John’s Church Choir, and was involved in the significant achievements of the choir under the leaderships of Julia Beaumont, Fiona Putnam, Rosemary Mortham and Cher Mole.

The contribution she has made, over a lifetime of service, is difficult to overestimate. She will certainly be missed by those people in the village, who were touched by her. For many years she was a member of the Afternoon Women's Institute, and was its last President, until it closed in 2011. After that, she supported the Tea at Three, which was held monthly for older people in the community. She was also an active member of the Sewing Group”, and even arranged an outing for the group to her son Tom’s restaurant in the Cotswolds only a short time before she died.

She insisted on making her 50^th wedding anniversary an “event”, despite some misgivings from her husband John, and this was a great joy to everyone. Family and friends who attended the day will remember, with gratitude, a very special day.

Above all, she will be remembered as a loving and caring wife, mother and grandmother. Her devotion to her family and her Christian principles were her guiding lights.  May she rest in peace.

John Gabbitas

Appreciation by Joan West of Stocken Farm

I got to know Jean well when she was Chairman of St. John's School Parent Teachers Association.

I have three reasons to particularly appreciate her work on the Wycombe District Council.

Firstly she was instrumental in getting the Farming Forum established. A party of councillors would be hosted by a farming family and shown round the farm, explaining farming to, as a rule, people who knew nothing about it at all. This experience was then sweetened by tea and cakes while discussions continued. Before writing this I asked the opinion of several farmers. They, without exception, remembered Jean with appreciation.

Secondly and very personally, our family have reason to be grateful for her work on the planning committee. We had applied to turn an old cowshed into a home for our son, a partner in the farm, who was getting married. Without seeing the building the committee turned it down. Jean persuaded them that they should have a site meeting. The building already had doors, windows, electricity, water and drainage. It was passed. "Thank you Jean"

Thirdly and this, really just admiration. Jean and a party of I didn't know who, although I know her husband was one of them, planted hedges along the New Road to Walters Ash. It was a notoriously windy stretch of road, for many years blocked with snow in winter. My verdict - Jean was not just inspired but 'hands-on' too.

PS. On Saturday 22nd October the Local History Group held an exhibition called "Granny's Attic", which included the first demonstration of the Lacey Green Media Wiki. A daughter of John & Jean Gabbitas, reading her mother's page on the wiki, added the following information :- New Road. Re: planting of hedges. Jean was involved in the initiative of engaging young offenders to help in the community. This was one such event.