Tributes have been paid to a much-loved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who will be sorely missed.
Former Weymouth Mayor Jess Nagel passed away peacefully aged 89 at home with her family.
She served as mayor in 1989 when a litre of petrol was 49p, a pint of milk was just 29p and Jason and Kylie’s ‘Especially For You’ was number one in the charts.
Mrs Nagel was the much-loved mother to Stuart, Gee, Christine, Annie, Laurence and Michael and a devoted grandma to all her eleven grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
Her daughter Christine Squibb said: “She was royalty to us, charming and wonderful. She was profoundly dependable, and exceptionally loyal to those around her, and those around her, knew they could lean on her, no matter the weather.
“Our mother was a kind and giving woman, but she was also incredibly private. We have learnt so much more about her since her passing.
“Those who knew her, will know the great hole she has left in our lives. Her passing will be felt not just for months and days, but for generations within our family, and our community. Not only in our hearts, but her name will forever be a part of Weymouth and Portland’s history.”
Christine revealed that the evacuation during the second world war ‘completely changed her mother’s life between 1940 and 1945.
Mrs Nagel had a life full of encouragement and support living in a children’s home called Balendoch.
She even took that name for her house at Melcombe Avenue, Weymouth and her face beamed with pride whenever she spoke of Balendoch - truly showing how much it meant to her.
During her time there, she felt love and respect from Auntie Esther, Uncle Henry and Auntie Ash, whom she kept in touch with over the years.
As a young girl she joined the Guides and became a Guide Leader, moving up to become a Guide Captain for the First Nicosia Guide Company, representing Cyprus in 1960.
When she turned 16, she left to join the Women’s Royal Air Force and in 1953 received the ‘Best Recruit’ award.
According to her family, Mrs Nagel was even the first Royal Air Force women to fly in a Meteor Jet with an Ace Pilot, who attempted to make her sick with twists and turns.’
Later in her life she went into Local Government and became a councillor for the Melcombe Regis Ward and was often seen out and about helping those in need.
She went above and beyond for her constituents, and when the Park District used to flood, Mrs Nagel would wade through the murky waters, getting soaked in order to check on all of her elderly constituents.
After that, she became a county councillor and sat on the Police Committee, canvassing to become an independent MP with her mantra being ‘to use common sense.’
The former mayor is in fact an honorary member of Weymouth Angling Club, despite any evidence of her ever picking up a fishing rod.
In November 1989 Mrs Nagel was dressed up ‘as a Captain’ in Army fatigues for a day of bridge-building demonstrations and extra hot curries.
Mrs Nagel said: “I had lunch with them and because I was the only lady there they said ‘You must go up and help yourself to food.’
“The further along the buffet I went the hotter the food was. I took a good spoonful of green stuff and nearly hit the roof when it hit my mouth.
“I finished it, but I didn’t know that it was good manners to go up and have seconds. They all sat and looked at me and the captain said that unless I had seconds, they couldn’t either, so I had a tiny spoonful of the whole lot again.”
She added: “It’s such a privilege to be invited out to visit the Gurkhas.”
The former mayor described the occasion as ‘one of the best moments of a wonderful mayoral year.’
A service was held, celebrating the life of Hon Alderman Jess Nagel at St Johns Church, Weymouth and as a mark of respect the Dorset flag was flying half-mast at Dorset Council on the day.
The service was conducted by Rev James Menzies and Portland Port Chaplain Jonathan Bayliff which was described by her family as ‘both impactive and a perfect appreciation of a life so very well lived.’
Her grandchildren were her bearers led by bagpipe player Tony Hurst who played ‘Amazing Grace’ on entry.
At her request her grandson read ‘Her journey’s just begun’ and her granddaughter also sang ‘All in the April Evening.’
There was a poignant exhibition of memories on display complete with an array of letters, photographs, scrapbooks, games of scrabble, bridge, and hats - all of which provided a snippet of her adventures and achievements during her long life at a gathering at the Rembrandt Hotel.
Her daughter Christine said: “She was a woman of many hats, both metaphorically and physically. If you close your eyes now, you can’t imagine her at an event or party without a hat.“
Mrs Nagel’s family would like to thank the many letters of support that people have sent them through this difficult time.
One person wrote: “Jess was one of the old school, honest, forthright, principled and who loved her country.”
Another added: “Jess left the world in a better place thanks to her hard work and commitment to the community that she served, something all her family should be very proud of.”
A third person wrote: “She will not be forgotten; she was always a dynamo of action and achievement.”
Another letter said: “She was an extraordinary lady, and our world is a better place resulting from her life and works, she will be missed by so many.”
Her two chosen charities are The Lantern Trust, and the British Red Cross.
To make any donations, contact funeral directors, Cotton & Sons, Weymouth for further details.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel