Tributes to Hove Food and Friendship volunteer Jacqui Edwards

Jacqui Edwards, from Poets Corner in Hove, died last month at the age of 75 after a battle with cancer.

Jacqui spent a lot of her free time helping out at the Food and Friendship Luncheon club in the Hove Methodist Church, spending time with elderly people from around the area and taking the time to speak with them over a meal.

Jacqui at the Food and Friendship club (Image: Food and Friendship)

Charity co-ordinator Caroline Henderson said: "She was at the centre of everything we did.

"She would arrive early in the morning, help make the meals, welcome people from our buses and sit and listen to them.

"She would serve the food, deal with any emergencies and then stay right to the end - often washing up.

"She was a truly phenomenal human being and we are devastated she is not here any more."

The organisation, which Jacqui was a trustee of for ten years, helps vulnerable elderly people including those with learning disabilities by getting them out of the house and socialising over food in the church hall.

"She really identified with our values and helped to shape them," said Caroline.

"I've never met a person who was more loved and more loving. She could talk to everybody."

The ceremony for Jacqui (Image: Family of Jacqui Edwards)

A celebration of Jacqui's life led by her friend and colleague Rev Andy Lowe was held at Hove Methodist Church, drawing some 200 people from across the United Kingdom and abroad.

The gathering was filled with people sharing their experiences of her, including former drama students she taught at St Christopher's in Hove who have now moved on to teach at prestigious schools such as Roedean and Lamda.

Her passion for the arts led her to create the Centre Stage Drama School in Hurstpierpoint.

Jacqui's former school St Christopher's has paid tribute to the "natural teacher". A spokesman said: "Jacqui taught Lamda Drama at the school alongside her daughter Deborah.

"She was a natural teacher of all age groups, from encouraging Year 1 children to devise their own pieces, to helping the older children prepare Shakespeare.

"There was always laughter around Jacqui, and her natural manner with parents, colleagues, and children was a far cry from some of the grande dames of the theatre world.

"Aside from her love of Drama, she had a passion for crisps. Asked what she wanted from the bar, her favoured flavour of the hour would always be requested before her drink."

Jacqui loved theatre and literature and held a special place in her heart for the stories of Alice In Wonderland and Peter Pan.

At the celebration, her favourite tales were interwoven through photographs, videos and quotes, put together by her grandson Jago and her granddaughter Lola.

Jacqui Edwards (Image: Family of Jacqui Edwards)

Her family said: "Jacqui leaves behind a legacy of love, compassion and generosity.

"Her brother Alan gave a touching tribute to open the proceedings and her grandson Isaac and daughter-in-law Marina shared some of their memories.

"Caroline from the charity Food and Friendship spoke about Jacqui’s years as a volunteer and a trustee and the huge impact she had on guests and volunteers alike.

"Her nephew Bill read a poem he had written and her daughter Deborah read out a letter penned by Jacqui just this March that was discovered among her treasured belongings.

"These words provided great solace and served as a poignant reminder of Jacqui's unwavering love for her friends and family."

Jacqui cooking a meal for the club (Image: Food and Friendship)

Jacqui's memory can be honoured by donations to the Food and Friendship charity.

The family added: "Jacqui Edwards will forever be remembered as a beautiful soul who radiated warmth, kindness and encouragement to all she encountered.

"Her absence will be deeply felt by the entire community she so selflessly served. Yet, her legacy lives on through the countless lives she touched and the enduring impact of her deeds."