Friday, April 11, 2025
Hilary Adams (nee Jessop) posted a condolence
Muriel Caldwell, nee Jessop, was a dear aunt to me and my brother Peter, a cherished sister to my father Ralph and a beloved sister in law to my Mum Dorothy. Though she emigrated to Canada when l was a baby, she and husband Tom returned to the UK annually to visit her Mum and Dad, Jessie and George, sisters Evelyn (and Jim), Freda (Dennis and Annette) and the family of their other sister Thelma who had sadly passed away.
During the visits to our home which were anticipated with much excitement, Peter and l listened spellbound as the conversation turned to joint memories of Muriel and Dad’s early lives (first and second born respectively), when money was scarce but there was no shortage of fun and games and in particular love and devotion within the household. The Christian faith was central to the Jessop family, both those values and also a joy of music and singing shaping them all.
Muriel’s warmth, kindness and enthusiasm were irrepressible and she was always very keen to catch up on lost time and hear about the achievements and interests of my brother and l, expressing incredulity each year as to how we’d grown. To us, her Canadian accent seemed fascinating and l loved the way she intoned ‘oh boy’, ‘gee whizz’ and ‘oh my’, her favourite expressions. Tom, never short of a story or two of his own would also keep us entertained, though it seemed as if no sooner had they arrived in Yorkshire than they would be off again to visit Tom’s family in Northern Ireland as well as other dear friends and then we would have to wait another year before the next meeting.
As the years moved on and George, Jessie and Jim passed away, Mum, Dad and Evelyn made several trips to Canada. They had many exciting experiences together, visiting local landmarks and more distant places as well as meeting Muriel and Tom’s cherished friends. I was fortunate enough to join them for one holiday in 1975. We stayed in their lovely home (l was most impressed by the peach tree, laden with ripe fruit, having never before been able to walk out of the door and pick peaches, much to Muriel’s delight), met the chow chows, then embarked on a grand tour to the US in the Pontiac and camper van. Muriel and Tom, no doubt feeling a huge sense of responsibility for we Brits were terribly worried when it was announced that we’d be heading into New York for a day visit. They declined to join us on safety grounds and were highly relieved and possibly a little surprised when we arrived back at the campsite in one piece! The whole Canadian/American trip was both fascinating and educational, but in the main defined by our generous, gracious and thoughtful hosts. Nothing was too much trouble.
For Dorothy, Ralph and Evelyn, there were other visits and my parents were delighted for Muriel to return to England with her wonderful friends Mary and Fred, doing a whistle stop tour of the UK, but then the sights and places of interest are far closer than in Canada.
In time, my husband and l were delighted to introduce Muriel to our children, whom despite only meeting a few times when very young have their own lovely warm recollections. Following my Mum’s death a few more visits were possible, but with age and less inclination to travel, contact was eventually limited to long letters and phone calls. Even then, Dad and Auntie Muriel would immediately strike up where they had left of, remaining devoted siblings until Ralph passed away in 2017.
What a wonderful rich life of service, devotion and affection for others Muriel lived. She was much loved by her UK family and despite the distance, retained a close and significant presence in all our lives. The happy, heartfelt memories we cherish of her will live on.
Hilary, lain, Tom, Ellie and family.
