Jill FrancineSTEVENSIt is with great sadness we announce the death of Jill Francine Stevens, who passed away peacefully at The Royal Blackburn Hospital aged 69 years. Jill was a loving wife to the late Ronnie Taylor and then Michael Stevens, devoted mother to Lee, Simon, Matthew and Cathryn, grandma to Leah, Joshua, Ruby, Harry, Luke, Simon Jnr, Sinead, Thomas and Lucas. Jill Francine was born in Oswaldtwistle to Jack and Amy Moss. From the age of three years Jill and her cousin Wendy attended lessons at the Sandra Pilkington School of dancing held in the Ossy Co Op rooms. This led to them performing at many dance festivals throughout the region and winning lots of medals and trophies for solo’s and duets, they were referred to as ‘Those Twins’ usually winning Gold. Jill’s talent for performing and entertaining was carried throughout her life. Childhood schooldays were at Moorend, and secondary at Rhyddings. It was here she met her beloved husband Ronnie and lifelong friends Jean Grundon and Carol Wright. Ronnie and Jill’s families both attended New Lane Baptist where they both sang in the choir and played guitar and as their romance blossomed it was here they wed. Jill and Ronnie’s first home which was lovingly renovated by Ronnie and his dad called Dem Dyke Cottage Upper Stanhill and it was here that first born Lee arrived followed by second Simon and last but certainly not least Matthew. Jill was a loving house wife and always made sure Ronnie and the children was well-fed with proper homemade food! As a very dramatic person Jill performed in the Oswaldtwistle Players and also Immanuel Church Theatre. Sadly Ronnie was diagnosed with Lung cancer and passed away July 1 1994. In 1996 Jill met Michael Stevens and their love for each other carried on and was married in September 1998. Jill loved to do the daily puzzles from the paper, play Scrabble and Chess. Jill loved to listen to Radio Lancashire and would love to call up when Ted Robins was on air as she had a crush on him. Michael had a stroke and had to be cared for in their own home where Jill dedicated her life to making sure he was comfortable and well-looked after. This shows you the amount of passion she had for her family. Jill will be sadly missed by all her family and friends, but her love for fun and laughter will forever be in their lives. The funeral will take place on Monday, July 3, with the service at Immanuel Church, Oswaldtwistle at 10am. Followed by committal at Accrington Crematorium at 11am Burnley Road. Family flowers only please but donations can be made in memory to East Lancashire Hospice. Funeral Directors: Wolstenholme Funeral Directors, Willows Lane, Accrington, BB5 0RT, 01254 232604.
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