Some Sad News

[Elton]

As some of you know, Jan Vail passed away unexpectedly yesterday.

 

At this moment in time, the cause is not known, but that part matters not; what matters is that many of us here have lost a dear friend and Newt, who has been the backbone of these forums from almost day one, has lost a wife and a loving soulmate.

 

Jan was a forum member in her own right, but took the decision to step back from it all a while back. I don't blame her at all; it was all too time-consuming, sometimes unrewarding and she was never as thick-skinned as her husband is. Instead, she remained friends with many of us and kept in regular contact.

 

To give you an idea of the kind of woman Jan was, she contacted me recently because she heard that Alan Stubbs was in hospital and wanted to contact him to wish him well. Alan was absolutely gobsmacked when he got a call from the States, to say the least. That was Jan. I don't think I'd have had the presence of mind to do that.

 

I'd often receive emails from Jan about motorsport news and other topics that she knew I enjoyed, always with a comment asking how my daughters were doing. She took a real pleasure in my joy of being a dad. Jan would regularly mention Newt, too, something that you don't always see in married couples!

 

I'm going to miss Jan. I'm going to miss her a lot. I've heard from a few blokes today, all of whom have admitted openly to crying at this news.

 

I can't imagine how my dear friend Newt must feel. My thoughts are with you, Newt, and I'm sure I speak on behalf of everyone here when I say that the thoughts of all of us on Anglers' Net are with you at this terrible time.

 

Jan Vail - you were one of a kind. One of the kindest people to have graced this planet. Those of us who knew you are better for having known you, but feel that that a big part of us has been taken away. You may have left this world, but you'll never leave our hearts. Rest in peace, Jan.

 

xx

[nursejudy]

Jan was a wonderful friend

 

Newt you are in out thoughts

 

Rest in Peace Jan

 

judith and Trevor

 

not just men who have been crying Elton

[Andrew]

So sad. Terrible news.

 

Our condolences go out to nNewt and the family.

[Chris Plumb]

Dreadful news.

 

Condolences to Newt.

 

 

C.

[Ken L]

Unlike some, I never met Jan but I do fondly remember her contributions to the forum.

My sincerest condolences go out to to Newt and the family.

 

Ken

[JV44]

Newt words are never enough at times like this ,Condolences to you and your family Steve.

[Rusty]

Dear Newt, I don't have the words and I can't imagine how you feel but every AN'er is here in support for when you need it.

[Sportsman]

So sorry for your loss Newt

[Alan Stubbs]

A beautiful summation of a wonderful lady.

I was having an emotionally strained day when she called.

She promptly deflected my issues and talked openly and in depth of her health issues.

It is a special kind of friend who does that....

 

I got very upset when people chose to have a go at Jan, simply for being Mrs Newt.

 

Sometimes Jan and I had divergent opinions, but such was the lady's inner beauty, we always reconciled

these by explaining our respective rationale and remained forever friends.

 

May Newt find solace in the knowledge that Jan was treasured as a friend by many, many people.

[nursejudy]

May Newt find solace in the knowledge that Jan was treasured as a friend by many, many people.

 

 

Amen to that