Jane GALLETLY

  GALLETLY, Jane Beatrice:
24 May 1928 - 12 December 2017Jane Galletly was born in the Derbyshire mining town of Staveley. Influenced profoundly by a socialist and literary upbringing, she was expelled from her grammar school for distributing anti-fascist leaflets for the Spanish civil war. In one of her first post-war jobs after leaving the WAF, she was elected shop steward and later, became an agent for the British Labour Party. She was passionate in promoting the rights of the underprivileged and working class. With her husband Kenneth and son Duncan, she came to New Zealand in 1963. Here she went on to become an internationally recognised television scriptwriter and editor. Her writing has included New Zealand productions of Moynihan, Close to Home, Pioneer Women, Country GP, Shark in the Park and Crimewatch. For the BBC she wrote or edited many episodes of Eastenders, and, in Australia, The Sullivans. Her passions were her family and friends, cooking, drama, poetry, the literature of all ages, her garden, violet creams, and an overindulged tabby cat. With bedside reading of Wilde, Homer and Montesquieu, she remained, to the final moment of her life, as sharp as a tack. An enormously talented, witty, generous, larger than life character, she left a legacy in politics and television. But more importantly she leaves fond memories to her many friends and family and, hopefully, a few of her talents and ethics to her grandchildren. She was, and is, much loved by her husband of 70 years, her son, her large complicated family and the many friends who have shared wine and laughter with her. In her 80s Jane began to write "doggerel" for her own amusement and that of her family. One of her poems helps a little in our grief:
You'll be there,
Sorry you couldn't join us in person,
But you'll be there.
Christmas, Easter, high days and holidays,
You'll be there.
Winter, summer, morning or evening,
You'll be there.
When we're gathered together, or on our own,
You'll be there.
The years will pass,
But we will remember,
And always, you'll be there.At Jane's request there will be no funeral but, on some future occasion, friends and family will gather to celebrate her life and her love. The family wish to thank all of those at Wellington Hospital who cared for her during her final illness.

Published in Dominion Post on Dec. 20, 2017

https://deaths.dompost.co.nz/obituaries/dominion-post-nz/obituary.aspx?n=jane-galletly&pid=187575264

Johnson71