I have known Jean since September 1973, when I started my year as a Dutch student of English at Glasgow university. Jean was on the committee of the International Club and helped organise a day trip where I met my future wife. She was always interested in the international students and made sure they would feel at home. She shared her parents' enthusiasm and indeed took many of these foreigners home to meet them.
Later, as a teacher at Blantyre she seemed to spend more time and energy providing clothes and shoes for those who couldn't afford them than actually teaching geography.
The years she spent with Alastair were very happy years and it felt as very unfair that so much bad luck happened to her, the fire, Alastair's illness, and parkinson's.
When she was on holiday with us in the Netherlands, a few years ago, she was still more concerned with the well-being of others than with her own comfort and frequently had a laugh at her own situation.
With her passing away the world has lost a wonderful person and I will always have fond memories of her.
Sam van Duin
Sam en Jane van Duin:
12/08/2022