Jane & I loved, amongst many scriptures, the description Jesus gives us of his heart, a heart of complete humility despite being the Lord of all - ‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.’

Announcement (29 April 2025):

My precious wife Jane died at nearly 10pm Monday evening (28 April) in St James Hospital, where she had been admitted around 2am, as the aggressive tumour we thought had been cleared had in a very short timeframe spread to vital organs. We thought months was the timeframe after the scan in early April and a meeting mid-month. I am so grateful that I was able to be with her for most of this last time in hospital, to help, support and love her, as was Laura for much of the time. Sam visited when she was in a relatively good condition in the morning, and Laura and John were totally supportive and remain with myself and Sam for now. Laura, John and I sat with mum after she died and committed her to her loving Father, knowing that she knew for certain where she was going and having no fear of dying, and we celebrated who she was to each of us.

I can’t express how precious Jane is to me (to us), how much I love her and how greatly I respect her, and I will do all in my power to honour her. She is at rest now after a very difficult year, but a year where she continued to be as focussed as ever on family and others in our church and community. Jane continued every day to follow Jesus, her Lord, and to give herself away to others, being kind to all she met often despite her own pain.

She insisted on me sending out her latest ‘Monday thoughts and prayers’ on Monday morning, and she also just completed her second book, More Encounters and Journeys – the first book has so helped many in all parts of the world. Jane referred to the difficulties of the past year as her own ‘journey’ which we know was in God’s hands, and she was so aware of and thankful for the love and prayers of so many. It also made us so much more empathetic to the journeys for so many who are suffering from cancer. 

I am so thankful to God for almost 54 years of happy marriage (yet with so many challenges – we know that life is not simple) to this remarkable, special, totally dedicated, ultra-organised and most precious person, doing the many things we felt God called us to (which will continue) at home and worldwide, and having many special times together and with family. Her journey here is finished – but the impact of her life will most certainly continue, and grow.

Jane (& I) loved, amongst many scriptures, the description Jesus gives us of his heart, a heart of complete humility despite being the Lord of all - ‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.’

My love,

In Jesus

Phil

All the contents of this site are copyright,  (c) Phil Coates 2026, except where noted