HUNDREDS of people attended the memorial service for a much-loved and respected long-serving landlady of local public house, The Waie Inn at Zeal Monachorum.

Jean Burrow died peacefully at home at Zeal Monachorum on Sunday, January 25, aged 85 years.

The memorial service took place in the Church of St Peter the Apostle, Zeal Monachorum on Thursday, February 12, with hundreds of people watching the service and taking part via a live link to many screens in many rooms at the Waie Inn.

Many other people also watched the service via the internet in their own homes.

The memorial service was preceded by a private cremation for the family at Exeter and Devon Crematorium.

The services were conducted by Rev Anthony Geering, who, during the Celebration of the Life of Jean service recounted an amusing tale of meeting Jean regularly when he would swim regularly at the Waie Inn. He also led a big round of applause for those at the church and in the inn for Jean and all she had given to everyone.

During the service a Bible reading was read by Jon, a poem read by Sue and the eulogy, put together by the whole family, by Helen.

Jean Mary Reddaway was born on July 13, 1940 in Okehampton and spent her early childhood at Ball Farm, Sampford Courtenay with her parents, Dorothy and Maurice.

She was the oldest of three children, alongside her brothers, William and Derek. In 1946, the family relocated to Cowley Barton Farm, Exeter.

As Jean grew up, she was an active member of Exeter Young Farmers and established many enduring friendships through her involvement.

She met her future husband, Trevor Burrow, at a dance held in America Hall, Pinhoe. Trevor confided to his friend, Ralph Page, that he had met the woman he intended to marry.

The couple wed in 1961 at Newton St Cyres Church and settled at Higher Hollacombe Farm, Yeoford, where their children Kevin, Karen, and Julie were born.

The family subsequently moved to Waie Farm, Zeal Monachorum, in 1966, welcoming Jeffery shortly after, followed by Gill in the following year.

Jean managed the house as a bed and breakfast, while Trevor worked the family farm at Serstone.

The conversion of Waie Farm commenced in 1971, beginning with renovations to a cottage and bungalow, and culminating in the transformation of the barn into a public house starting in 1976, coinciding with the birth of Suzy.

Mark completed their family in 1980, preceding the pub’s official opening on July 12, 1980 on the eve of Jean’s 40th and Kevin’s 18th.

The family expanded considerably over the years, with the addition of 21 grandchildren and, to date, 14 great-grandchildren, and two pending!

During the 1980s, Jean and Trevor devoted themselves to growing the business, which encompassed farming, building, bed and breakfast, and running of the public house.

The pub became a popular venue for events, including many discos, with Jean single handedly maintaining order among customers.

Following Trevor’s passing in 1989, Jean, supported by her children, continued to uphold and advance Trevor’s vision for the family business.

As her family matured during the 1990s, Jean enjoyed her coaching holidays with friends, playing in skittles leagues, and organising or attending whist drives in the local area.

She also hosted lunch clubs at the pub, and numerous charitable events.

Jean was always busy. It was customary for her to assign tasks to anyone found idle, jokingly leaving her children to manage the bar while she disappeared to “put the washing on”, there was always a bulb to change or the clock to wind.

In her later years, Jean transitioned to roles behind the scenes, assisting in the kitchen by peeling vegetables on a Saturday morning with Dickie or doing the laundry.

She always maintained relations with customers – often joining them for a drink.

Family gatherings, including her 80th birthday celebration, were made possible by having the pub to accommodate the ever-growing family.

As her health declined, the family have had bonus years of her company, with many visits at home to see her keeping her up to date with goings on.

She always wanted to know what was going on in the pub and would often pop over for lunch with friends.

She was kind, loving, generous and genuine.

After 45 years as Landlady of the Waie Inn, Jean has called last orders for the final time.”

The family thanked Jean’s three carers for their help in recent times.

Donations if desired for the Church of St Peter the Apostle, Zeal Monachorum or Devon Air Ambulance Trust may be sent to Le Roy Funerals, 94-95 High Street, Crediton EX17 3LB or online at www.leroyfunerals.co.uk