whitby

Jean Leyland-Quarmby

 

Obituary by Graham Hill Dimland Borzois

JEAN LEYLAND-QUARMBY died on Monday 30th November after a long illness. It came as tragic surreal news that Jean had passed away, writes Graham Hill 

It was all the more shocking as she had kept her terminal illness to herself and family for nearly two years. Having been stunned by the tragic news of her death, it has taken sometime for me to put pen to paper to pay my tribute to Jean, who was a longstanding and loyal friend.

I know Jean made many friends in the world of dogs and gained the respect of all who knew her for her honesty, doggy knowledge and outspoken opinions.

A private but forthright Yorkshire lass, she had been an active and caring member Northern Borzoi Association and of The Borzoi Club since 1975. Her Tatiana prefix was regularly recorded amongst the winners of the Borzoi breed classes at our Championship shows through the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s and right up to recent years. Breeder of Ch Tatiana Chaumiere, in the early 90’s she proudly campaigned Ch Vronsky Kindred Spirit of Tatiana to his well deserved title.

Having retired to Sleights near Whitby from Huddersfield she and husband John had just one veteran Borzoi bitch. Although continuing as Borzoi enthusiasts and regular visitors to Borzoi Club events and the ringside of many shows, exhibiting was now taking a less important role in their lives. 

Jean became a proud member of The Kennel Club in 2006 and was booked to judge Borzoi at Crufts in 2011; an appointment that made her very proud and one that would have been a fitting climax to a true Borzoi lover’s canine career.

Since I can remember, Jean and John were always to be seen at The Welsh Kennel Club Championship Show and enjoying themselves at the Friday night WKC Show Dinner. Jean and John have many longstanding friends in Wales and were always welcomed warmly at “The Welsh” as Jean fondly called it.

Jean will be sadly missed by all her friends and especially those from “The Welsh”.

I am sure all who knew her will join me in sending our sympathy and condolences to husband John and daughters Natasha and Nanette.

 

Jean was a dear friend of mine, and she is often in my thoughts. We used to visit her and John, every time we went to England, and they were frequent guests here in Sweden. The photo is from our last visit at their home, just outside Whitby. /Dan Persson
 

Submitted by:

Sue Vasick

on January 22, 2018 5:59 pm

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