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Tributes : Jackie Royall

Mom

My Mom was an amazing woman. She was big-hearted, kind and caring. She always had time for people. She touched the hearts of everyone who ever met her and was loved by us all.

She was vibrant and full of life; she would always be the last one to sit down long after everyone else had stopped dancing. She loved her music and her singing. She had an amazing singing voice and anyone who has been lucky to hear her sing will agree with me.

She had a fantastic sense of humour and loved to laugh.  She was fun to be with and always brought the room to life just be being there.  She had a presence about her; she sparkled.  You never forgot meeting Jackie Royall.  She was a character.  She left an impression on everyone she met.  She was a very special person and I don’t think there will be anyone ever like her.

She was my rock and the wind beneath my wings.  She was the one I could always turn to in my times of need and would listen and advise me.  She was my beacon of light, my special person and I thank God that she was my Mom.  We spent a lot of time together and had a special bond.  We were best friends and shared everything together.  She even had her own special language and didn’t realise why we all laughed at some of the words she used with which to describe things. 

Her family were very important to her.  She loved us all.  She was like a second Mom to all her grandchildren.  Always had time for them and was always interested in what they were doing.  They knew they could go to her at anytime if ever they needed help or advice or just for a laugh and a chat.  She recently became a Great Nan and loved spending time with Ellie.

She was a fighter and would never give up.  She never once complained through all she had to endure with her illness and treatments.  She got on with things like a trooper.  She has taught me no matter how hopeless things may seem, never give up, keep fighting and you will find a way.

My Mom was a one-off.  She was an angel on earth, she was unique.  She had a gift of love, caring, understanding and humanity.  She has left a great big hole that I know will never be filled.  I will love and miss her for eternity.

Good night.  God Bless Mom.

Joyce Smailes – Family friend

Jackie was an inspiration to all who knew her – what a life she led. I have huge fondness and love for you, not only as a netball person but as a wife, mother and grandmother. She was a very ‘special’ person. Long may her memory last.

Janet Wrighton – President : England Netball

I will remember Jackie for her cheeky smile and her warm charm. I can’t remember exactly when I first met her but it seems a long, long time ago and of course, I met Jackie, along with Jimmy, through our mutual love of netball.

Jackie’s love of life reflected in her passion for netball.  Wherever she officiated she brought life to the occasion.  She not only brought life to netball but she invited netball into her life.  The netball court in her garden.  Her lounge for a meeting.  Jackie and Jimmy invited us all into their lives.

Whether it was at School, Club or County level, Jackie was always willing to give her service.  She not only officiated on the court but she was also a keen organiser both in terms of providing umpires and in arranging courses and training.  I know that many netballers have benefitted from Jackie’s influence.

I have progressed from grassroots to the very top in netball and whenever I came into contact with Jackie, she always congratulated me on my success and was always generous with her words.  It is no effort for me to be generous with my words about Jackie.  She was a very gentle lady who made me smile because she smiled.

I am extremely pleased that Jackie was recognised for her long service to netball at County level and in 2008 at England Netball’s Goalden Globes, she received England Netball’s Long Service Award.  I know Jackie enjoyed that occasion and truly deserved the recognition.

Although I did not see Jackie on a regular basis, the one regular communication I had with her and Jimmy was my Christmas card with two pieces of chocolate inside, I always knew when that card arrived, who it was from.

There will be many tributes, all of them rich in content as Jackie enriched so many lives.  I will always remember her with a smile and warm affection.

Sue Smith and family

Mandy & Steve Smith + Rachael

Fond memories of Jackie and all the Royall family down at Springhill over the years. Fabulous netball weekends at Gateshead amongst others venues were enjoyed by many.

The 12 hour sponsored netball to raise money for NSPCC was a wonderful, long day enjoyed by everyone and raising money in the process (£500 plus I think). Jackie always made all the Springhill girls (Cherubs was her pet name for us), feel part of the family with her warm and friendly nature, encouraging us in the game we love to enjoy and achieve to the best of our ability.

Courageous and an inspiration to all who had the pleasure of knowing her.  You will be greatly missed by all.

Bernie Young

Jackie was inspirational to me in my umpiring career. She was always, positive, helpful and supportive, words that not only could you use in her netball career but also her life. I actually have never heard a bad word said about Jackie. Perhaps a few raised eyebrows on her fashion sense but that was part of who she was, and oh how much fun she was. We were blessed with her sharing a tour of Cyprus with us girls from Dudley Leisure Netball Club and oh was she just the business; the stories will live on forever Jackie, thank you.

A truly remarkable, lovely lady who I feel proud and honoured to have called my friend.

Thank you so much.

Jean Edmonds

My memories of Jackie are many, her smiles and friendship was her most likeable. She never said anything about other people unless it was kindly and generous, always happy to talk to you about all sorts of things.

It’s been a few years since I saw Jackie and it was a shock to me when I heard she had passed away – where she is now she will be sadly missed and my sympathies go to Jimmy and family.

Rest in peace Jackie.

Chris Groves

Both Jackie and husband Jimmy have been tremendous supporters of netball and of the Dudley League over the years, giving of their time, kindness and generosity.

I personally first met Jackie when I joined a team she was already playing for back in the 60’s and this introduced me to league netball.

Jackie was involved as a player, umpire and coach at many levels throughout netball and I am sure anyone who met her could not help but find her friendly, helpful, funny, entertaining and many other special things.

We will all miss you Jackie.

Sandie de Bechi

I will remember Jackie for her warmth, humour, and generosity on and off the netball court. She had a vivacious charisma that could not be equalled yet she treated everyone equally.

Jackie will be remembered by many not only for the many contributions she gave to netball through the administrative, officiating and playing roles she took on, but also by the netballers for whom she gave the playing opportunities spearheaded with Jimmy. Today we see her legacy with those players now having children and in some cases grandchildren of their own playing in the sport.

Thank you Jackie from all of us – we will miss you – a very special lady.

Carol Finlan – on behalf of Linden N.C.

In loving memory of a lovely lady who was always there to lend a helping hand; always there to see things through and always with a smile – a smile you cannot forget.

God Bless Jackie

Natalie Gregory : Chair of Willenhall Wanderers N.C.

We were all very sad to hear of Jackie's death. Jackie was a lovely lady, always full of good humour, and passionate about netball. She supported our club as an umpire for many years, and a number of us became close to her through the county netball scene.

She will be sadly missed and our thoughts are with her family at this sad time

Kate Wilkinson : Secretary, Dudley Netball League

I first met Jackie in the 70’s and apart from our mutual interest in netball, we also shared lots of banter about football. I looked forward to her Christmas card each year and knew it would always contain some remark about the Wolves and the Albion.

Jackie made a lasting impression on everyone she came into contact with.

Never to be forgotten.

Rest in Peace dearest Jackie.

John Dutfield

I worked in netball for over 30 years with Jackie. We umpired all over the country for our county (South Staffs) and in our local leagues.

Whenever I was in her company I was aware of her love for life and her family who meant everything to her.

Jackie always thought of others and never herself, willing to give help and advice to anyone she thought needed it. She was a loving mother and wife and I feel very privileged to have had Jackie as a friend.

As well as my tribute to Jackie I would like to submit the following poem.

God Bless you Jackie and may you rest in peace, you have certainly earned it.

Feel no guilt in laughter
I know how much you care
Feel no sorrow in a smile
That I’m not there to share
You cannot grieve forever
I would not want you to
I hope that you will carry on
The way you always do
So talk about the good times
And ways you showed you cared
The days we spent together
All the happiness we shared.

Let memories surround you
A word someone may say
Will suddenly recapture
A time, an hour, a day
That brings them back as clearly
As though I were still there
And fills you with the feelings
That I am always near
For if you keep those moments
We’ll never be apart
And I will live forever
Locked safe within your heart