Jane Lines (Shutes) 1936-1921

Jane loved drama and music and was always artistically gifted at school, but she originally trained as an orthoptist. When she told Miss Ruth Garwood Scott what she wanted to do, Miss Garwood Scott declared: “How interesting!  It is a career no-one else in the school has ever chosen!”

As a qualified orthoptist, Jane’s next wish was to travel to Canada and she applied for a job in Montreal.  After her friend backed out at the last minute, Jane took the ship from Liverpool on her own and spent two happy years working at the Montreal Children’s Hospital.  

Life contrived a meeting with a young man called Peter Lines who worked for his family firm, Triang.   On accepting his proposal of marriage, she said it was conditional on their returning to Canada.  In fact, it was 35 years before this wish was realised. 

They married in 1961and had two sons and a daughter. In the fullness of time there would also be nine grandchildren.  After one or two moves, they settled and created a happy home with a beautiful garden in East Horsley.

When her children were old enough Jane returned to work as a teacher. Her skills were enough without the need for formal training. She found jobs in local schools, teaching art, and she loved it.

After converting a large room in their house into a studio, she became renowned for her illustrations in local magazines, for detailed pictures of birds and animals, and for drawings of historic buildings and everyday objects. She tried oil painting but much preferred watercolour and drawing.  Now and then she would hold an exhibition and sale of paintings.

In addition, Jane found time to attend the University of the Third Age, to conduct tours of nearby Horsley Towers, to support the school for musically gifted children founded by Yehudi Menuhin and above all to be an active and devoted member of her Church. 

She was one of a lifelong circle of friends from LEH and all of us will miss her.
Madeline Macdonald, Pamela Symonds and Trish White, all Class of 1955.