Farewell to retired vicar popular at two Sheffield churches
Rev David Jardine
A POPULAR retired vicar who was heavily involved in the life of two Sheffield churches has died aged 81.
Rev David Jardine helped with services at St Luke’s Church in Lodge Moor and was also a well-known figure at St Columba in Crosspool.
As well as his work at the churches, he also led a poetry group and founded a conversation club for asylum seekers to help them learn English and introduce them to British culture.
David died following a short illness at St Luke’s Hospice with his family at his bedside. A thanksgiving service to celebrate his life will be held next month at the Lodge Moor church.
He was born in October 1930 in Allahabad in India, where his father was working with the Church Mission Society. He had a sister, Heather, and a younger brother, Julian.
Tragically, David’s mother died soon after Julian’s birth, said his friend, St Luke’s current vicar the Rev Chris Stebbing. “David treasured one or two photos of her and a book of poems which she had written,” he added.
David came to England with his siblings in 1932 and lived with relatives.
“His father stayed behind in India and would write stories to David which he would illustrate and post them to him,” said Rev Stebbing.
“David missed his father terribly.”
But in 1940, the three children rejoined their father in Kashmir, where they remained throughout World War Two before returning to Britain.
David undertook National Service with the Royal Signals, then read history at Oxford University.
He met his first wife, Susan, at a mission society conference and they married in 1955, spending more than 40 years together and having three children, Kate, Charles and Rachel.
After studying for ministry in Oxford, David went on to become a curate in Liverpool, then moved down to Surrey. He later worked in Bournemouth, spending 17 years as vicar in the seaside town.
“The household was always busy with visitors coming to stay from abroad and committee meetings in the home,” Rev Stebbing said.
David and Susan had planned to retire in Sheffield but he moved to the city on his own following Susan’s death in 1996.
He took a diploma in archaeology at Sheffield University and enjoyed rambling as well as joining the Dore Gilbert and Sullivan Society as stage manager.
David met his second wife Ann through rambling before they got married in 2000.
“Initially he attended St Columba, they bought a house on Redmires Road and over time David became more involved with the life and work of St Luke’s Church which Ann already attended,” Rev Stebbing said.
“Among other things, David helped at services and on the mission committee as well as leading the poetry group. During nearly 12 years of married life they visited many countries including Pakistan, Chile, Portugal, Switzerland and Ireland.
“Throughout his life, David’s faith in God was at the very heart of who he was.”
Rev Stebbing said David was also ‘very proud’ of his 10 grandchildren.
“He was always interested in them and generous in helping them achieve what they wanted to do,” he added.
The thanksgiving service takes place at 11am on September 8.
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Weather for Sheffield
Friday 24 May 2013
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Temperature: 4 C to 8 C
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