TRIBUTES have been paid to the 'backbone' of a Worcester family and thriving business who has died just months after her husband to whom she was 'devoted'.
Jane Ann Hemming who, together with her husband Bert John Hemming, founded BJH Motors in Worcester has died.
Mrs Hemming, 82, of Bath Road, Worcester, had been married to Bert for more than 50 years and the couple were described in a statement by the family as 'devoted to each other', building the successful city business together.
She suffered a suspected heart attack but her family say she had a broken heart after the death of her husband. Mrs Hemming died on January 28 just eight months after the death of her 78-year-old husband, Bert.
All are welcome to attend her funeral at Worcester Crematorium in Astwood Road, Worcester, this Wednesday at 1pm. Mrs Hemming was not a lover of black so people are asked to wear navy blue or white if possible at the service. Family flowers only. Donations can be made to the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity.
In a statement, her family said Mrs Hemming started the business with her husband and was a director. "She was the boss, the backbone of the business. She organised everything and was still at work the Friday before she died. She found it really hard after Bert died. They were devoted to each other."
Together they raised three sons - Terry, John and Mark and Mrs Hemming lived to see her grandson, 17-year-old car salesman Harry, get his first pay packet from the business which continues to thrive from generation to generation. The couple also has five grandchildren and a great-granddaughter.
We have previously reported how Bert John Hemming founded the BJH Motors business 44 years ago.
Born in November 1944, Mr Hemming had worked at the Colmore Depot in Worcester for 20 years before setting up his own business BJH Motors in 1979 along with two trainee mechanics - one of whom was his son Terry.
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Their initial workshop was in Gregory Mill Street, but later moved to Sheriff Street.
Four years later he branched out into the motor trade, taking over and transforming the old Page's Garage at the bottom of Rainbow Hill into a modern car salesroom for new and used cars as well as a MOT test centre next door.
In 1996 the company expanded its service side with a move from Sheriff Street to a larger premises in Tolladine Road where they started to carry out class 7 MOTs.
By 1997 Mr Hemming's other two sons had joined the thriving company and its name was changed to BJH Motors & Sons - John heading up the sales side of the business and Mark joining Terry in the workshop.
Today BJH & Sons continue to trade from the same sites, and remains a family business with all three sons still very much involved.
As well as the salesroom and service centre in Rainbow Hill and the workshop in Tolladine Road, BJH has a second salesroom in Cranham Drive.
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