A woman who for many years organised subsidised holidays for pensioners living in Bushey, Jean Primrose Hussey, died on Wednesday, January 8. She was 85-years-old.

Jean was born in Dollis Hill and educated at Greenhill School in Harrow and then worked as a secretary for Ruddock and Meighan, a civil engineering firm based in Wealdstone, where she met her husband, Dennis, a civil engineer. The couple moved to Bushey after their marriage in September 1961 and Jean immersed herself in all aspects of village life.

For many years she was a volunteer helper at Little Reddings School Library. She arranged the library to make it more appealing to the children and helped with their reading and writing.

In 1968, together with her husband, she inaugurated the subsidised holiday scheme for the senior citizens clubs in Bushey, including St James’, Sacred Heart Church Club, Bushey Disabled Club, the Stroke and Link Club, St Peters Over 60s Club, North Bushey Pensioner’s Voice and the Bushey Luncheon Club.

Following a trip to Margate to inspect five boarding houses, a brochure was produced and sent to Bushey Urban District Council asking for financial assistance.

The request was turned down but, undeterred, she organised a door to door collection, and a party of 50 Senior Citizens were sent on a week’s holiday for £3 10s.

Several days after their return, a letter was received from Bushey UDC saying they had reconsidered the request and would indeed finance the holidays.

When Hertsmere took over from Bushey UDC, they increased the support so that for many years, 200 Senior Citizens were able to take subsidized holidays.

Due to ever increasing costs, the holidays no longer became viable and subsequently ceased in 2002, by which time Jean had arranged more than 3,000 holidays.

Jean was a member of the Ladies Circle and was also a past president of Bushey Inner Wheel. She was also secretary for the Bushey Old People’s Welfare Committee for more than 30 years and prepared agendas and minutes for each of the five meetings per year.

She was also responsible for bookings for the Bushey Old People’s Welfare Committee Minibus - the first vehicle was purchased by Bushey and Oxhey Round Table for £6,500, a sum which was raised in just six weeks while her husband, Dennis, was Community Service Chairman for the Round Table.

These vehicles have been used over the years for transporting senior citizens to their various clubs. The vehicles were driven by volunteers and were also used by Scouts, Guides, the Salvation Army and other community groups.

Jean leaves her husband, Dennis, a daughter, Kathy, a son, Christopher and two grandsons, James and Jonathan.

Her funeral will take place at 11.20am on Friday, January 31, at the North Chapel, West Herts Crematorium. The reception will be held at the Sacred Heart Church Hall in Bushey High Street.