Jacque Collyer-Smith passes away
by Simon Collyer 7 Mar 2018 22:06 PST
Jacque Collyer-Smith (in pink) passes away © Collyer-Smith family
The sailing world has lost a popular member of the community following the death of Jacque Collyer-Smith.
Jacque joined the Boat Centre, Brightlingsea as a Chandlery assistant in 1966. The business, which exists today, was bought by the Morgan family in September 1972 and became LH Morgan & Sons, occupying a prominent position adjacent to the site of the former Brightlingsea Shipyard, James & Stone. By now married to Peter Collyer-Smith, and having progressed to clothing department manager, Jacque's business talents were spotted by Norman Norfolk, of Candor Motors. He engaged her to set up and manage a new venture; Candor Marine, was launched and soon prospered. The chandlery business was moved from the Ipswich Road to Magdalen Street, a larger site, and during 1989/90 the chandlery business was sold by Candor Motors to Peter and Jacque, becoming, Collyer Smith Marine and Country in the process. When Candor Motors was sold, the chandlery shop moved once more, this time to Brightlingsea.
Leading lights in the local community, in 1990 Peter and Jacque became the Deputy and Lady Deputy of Brightlingsea. Brightlingsea is a limb of the Cinque Port of Sandwich one of the maritime Cinque Ports. In 1985 she received the Deputy's medal of merit for organising the Deputy's Christmas gift fund lunch for people who have no company on Christmas Day. She was furthered honoured in 2014. To mark her 50th year of active involvement with the Deputy's Christmas Gift Fund, a silver bar was added to her ribbon, denoting a second Medal of Merit. During their Deputyship, Jacque started the 'Ladies of the Liberty' for wives and partners to become more involved with the Liberty of Brightlingsea.
Known for her award winning charitable work and her successes as a theatrical producer for the Seaview Players, Jacque still found time to represent the local newspapers, East Essex Gazette now the Clacton Gazette, Essex County Standard and East Anglian Daily Times with News stories and photographs as correspondent for Brightlingsea.
Jacque was a keen racing and then cruising sailor, a member of Wivenhoe and Brightlingsea Sailing Clubs and the Colne Yacht Club. Their yacht 'Lady Outlaw' was well known around the Essex rivers.
Jacque Collyer-Smith is survived by husband Peter Collyer-Smith, son Simon Collyer and daughter Ruth.
Funeral Arrangements
Friday 16th March 2018
11am Weeley Crematorium
2pm Service of Celebration, St James Church, Brightlingsea
Afterwards at the Brightlingsea Sailing Club
No need to wear black - Everyone Welcome