Jennifer Storch — committed community supporter

JENNIFER Margaret Crichton-Miller, born in 1936, spent a very happy childhood following the family around the three public schools of which her father, a Scottish international rugby player, was headmaster.

It was Taunton during the Second World War (her father was excused service but her uncle lost his life in the RAF), followed by her teenage years at Fette’s College in Edinburgh and, finally, at Stowe School in Buckingham, where she married civil engineer Barry Storch, whom she had met while working at Harrods.

Jenny was always very keen on physical progress, especially in team sports, and had been selected for the Scottish team for lacrosse.

She declined to take up a position in the squad, though, aware of the toll international sport has on the body and on family life.

The couple soon moved to Peppard (1968) where they completed their family with their third son and threw themselves into local life.

Jenny was absolutely committed to the communities she lived in. She was an early member of the Chiltern Society, starting the lunch club for the senior members of the village, hosted annual hockey matches, coached tennis and thrilled children with Easter egg hunts in their garden next to the Greyhound pub.

During this time, she was teaching PE at Hemdean House School after teaching at Wycombe Abbey.

Jenny encouraged her three sons also to excel in sports and supported them by appearing on the touchline in everything they tried.

She never admitted disappointment with their regular lack of achievement. However, the youngest, Giles, saved the day achieving a Blue at Cambridge University level.

She continued to be proud of them in their fields of engineering, law and teaching.

Jenny gave generously and even transported computers herself to a village in Kenya she was committed to.

Barry died in 1998 and it was with great foresight that she purchased a sheltered flat with a fabulous view of the River Thames and Streatley Hill.

She moved there aged 70 and, again, community life drew her at once and she took part in or ran the bridge, tennis, dining out and theatre clubs, Goring Gap U3A and even table tennis.

Her energy and stalwart enthusiasm inspired her family, six godchildren and countless friends.

When the Ukraine war began she wondered how she could help despite now being in her 80s. So she offered Thames boat trips to Ukrainians who had been billeted to the local area, giving special memories to those refugees.

It was to her absolute delight that even right at the end she was able to see her only great grandchild had learnt not just how to walk but totter around her hospital bed at great speed — could he be a great sportsman?

Jenny died age 89 on December 27, leaving three sons, seven grandchildren and one great grandson.