JUDITH ANN MILNES TUCKER

CREDITON Rector, the Rev Matthew Tregenza, led the tributes to Mrs Judith Ann Milnes Tucker at her funeral service held at the Church of the Holy Cross, Crediton, on Friday, December 11.

Mrs Tucker sadly passed away on November 17 and due to the current coronavirus restrictions, a maximum of 30 people, family members, friends and representatives, were able to attend the service.

Sue Briant-Evans read the eulogy and said: "Judith – or Judy as she was known to many – was born on March 7, 1945 at Minehead, Somerset. Her parents were farming at Ellicombe (just between Minehead and Dunster) and her father in particular was much involved in organisations such as the Parish Council and the NFU, having also run the local Home Guard during the War. The talent and enthusiasm for getting involved in local affairs was something his daughter certainly inherited very fully.

"Judy kept horses on the farm for recreational purposes, but cars also entered the story early, with Judy’s father being well-known for taking his sheep to market in a 1927 Rolls Royce. Later he acquired a 1929 model for family duties and Paul was obliged to demonstrate his ability to drive this machine before he was allowed to marry Judy.

LAW DEGREE

“After attending St Audries School at West Quantoxhead and then Millfield, Judy studied at Bristol University and obtained a Law Degree. She then did her training as an articled clerk, first at Ansty and Sargeant in Exeter and then (after her Mother died) with her Father’s solicitor in Minehead. This is where she and Paul first met when he was employed by the same firm as a newly qualified solicitor. Judy also became a qualified solicitor although ultimately never practiced as such.

"When Judy’s father sold his farm and retired in about 1969 Judy bought a bungalow at Oake near Taunton where she was working, initially at the Somerset County Record Office and then later in the legal department at Somerset County Hall. Paul and Judy became more involved when he offered to help her with her garden at Oake and, after a rather prolonged engagement, they married at Oake Church on March 6, 1976. By this time Paul was a partner in Stones Solicitors in Exeter where he continued until his retirement in 2008.

"Paul and Judy first set up home at Oake House, Tolleys, Crediton. They bought it partly because it was convenient, but also because it had a large double garage to accommodate Paul’s beloved Sunbeam Tiger (which he bought in 1971 and still has). In January 1980 Judy and Paul’s only son David was born.

“Prior to that Judy had been working in the legal department at South West Water but then ’retired’ to become a full-time housewife and mother, although ’retirement’ soon proved a very relative term! In 1984 Paul and Judy sold Oake House and purchased Kinross, Pounds Hill, where Paul and David still live.

COUNCILLOR

"From about 1984 Judy became ever more involved in various charities and local affairs generally. For many years she was on the committee of the local branch of the Save The Children Fund and continued her interest on an informal basis. She was a Town Councillor for some years and was instrumental in rebuilding relations with the Crediton Chamber of Commerce and in having the entrance road to the Lords Meadow Industrial Estate improved at the Exhibition Road end.

"She was also involved with the Crediton Area History and Museum Society as a Committee Member and as the organiser of their regular talks and outings. She was a member of U3A and was a regular assistant at performances by the CODS amateur theatre group. She also assisted at many Church functions, particularly on the catering side.

"She had for some time been the Secretary of the Boniface Link Association and had overseen its revival and expansion, including recently being instrumental in bringing it into the digital age with a newly created social media presence.

BONIFACE

"Another Boniface endeavour of which Judy was a strong supporter was Rod Brookes-Hocking’s ultimately successful attempt to create a series of panels which together tell St Boniface’s story while simultaneously creating a walk through Crediton.

"Perhaps Judy’s proudest Boniface-related achievement was, however, her involvement in the campaign to have Boniface established as the Patron Saint of Devon, a status that was officially recognised in May last year.

“She was a regular Poppy seller and a long-standing supporter of the Royal British Legion and Combat Stress charities. Some years ago (in succession to Paul’s mother) she joined the committee of the Newcombes Housing Association and was chairman for a number of years until quite recently.

"Judy was also a leading light in the effort to save the Town Council Offices and remained a supporter of the Campaign for Democracy in Mid-Devon which is ongoing. Following a family tradition started by Paul’s parents, she was a member of the Friends of Crediton Church and, in more recent times when the Church Roof Fund came into being, that too gained her keen support.

DEVOTED WIFE AND MOTHER

"Amongst all her charitable and other commitments Judy was a devoted wife and mother and ran her household in the most efficient manner. She was also an excellent cook and used to organise the most splendid dinner parties. This will be one of the very many ways in which she will be sorely missed by Paul, David and others.

"She was very supportive of both Paul and David in their various motor related activities. Organisations such as the Sunbeam Tiger Owners Club, the Jaguar Enthusiasts Club, Classic and Specialist Car and Bike Night, as well as David’s metalwork business DTR Performance Panelcraft, all benefitted from her help and support in the background. Indeed, in the early days of the Tiger Club, Judy used to describe herself as ’the secretary’s secretary’!

"While most of her initial efforts in the motoring scene were in support of Paul and David, later on Judy became a slightly accidental classic car enthusiast herself, as her dearly loved and always immaculate Peugeot 205 grew older. This culminated earlier this year with her car being chosen as the ‘cover star’ for a Club Peugeot UK magazine feature on the 205 model, something that delighted Judy considerably!

JUSTICE AND FAIRNESS

"Judy had an amazing understanding of history and how it should be valued as the background and influence for how life is lived today, and the decisions people make. She also had a great sense of justice and fairness. Both these things were constantly brought to bear on the societies and community projects with which she was involved.

"The local press release about her referred to ‘a respected Crediton campaigner’ but she was much more than that. Her enthusiasm, forward-thinking and dedication carried others along and she had a real talent for friendship and concern for people.

"It follows from all this that she will be greatly missed not only by her immediate family but also by the whole local community and more still further afield. Her popularity and wide ranging sphere of influence and interests has been borne out by the number of cards and other messages of condolence which Paul and David have received and which have been a great comfort to them."

Jeanette Ridewood read the poem "You can shed tears" and Jim Causley sang the song he had written entitled "St Boniface Day".

Donations in memory of Judy can be made to Crediton Parish Church Roof Appeal ? A White and Sons, funeral directors.