Joscelyn Johnson's funeral.

Over 200 people, family, friends and Old Seafordians gathered together for Joscelyn's funeral yesterday, Sunday November 2nd. We were so touched by the many, many tributes from friends from different aspects of her life to whom Joscelyn had meant so much. Thank you to all of you who came and made the day so special for the family. We doubt the chapel has ever been so full! We raised the roof with the hymns that Joscelyn loved.

We have many people to thank so please forgive us if you don't hear from us immediately .
However straightaway and with this post , we particularly want to thank Rev'd Stephen Gray for taking the funeral, the family service the night before and for his wonderful and uplifting tribute to Joscelyn. We also want to thank Sara Reynolds, the choir and the whole of the Seaford staff who have all gone out of their way and worked many extra hours to make sure that this weekend we gave Joscelyn a send off that will never be forgotten. We shall never forget all your kindness to us.

Thank you
Su , Jane, Sally and Anne


We look forward to seeing many Old Seafordians next Sunday at the Remembrance Service when Humphrey Avon will be giving a short tribute to Joscelyn as part of the service .
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We are very sad to tell you that Joscelyn Johnson died peacefully on Wednesday October 22nd.

The funeral and celebration of her life will be held at Seaford College Chapel on Sunday November 2nd at 2pm, followed by tea in the Mansion House. We would be delighted to see you all. Joscelyn joined the school’s academic staff at its wartime home in Worthing. There she met Charles Johnson, Seaford’s Headmaster for more than 46 years. She and Charles moved the school (then 75 boys) to Lavington Park in the Easter holidays of 1946. She has been a linchpin within the Seaford community ever since.

Donations: Seaford College was central to Joscelyn’s life and the Chapel a very special place for Joscelyn. Therefore if you would like to give a donation it will be put toward the repairs to the Chapel roof. Please make out cheques to Seaford College (Chapel Fund) or contact: Angela Thornley, email: athornley@seaford.org tel:01798867870
Funeral directors: W Bryder & Sons, The Gables
Upperton Road
Tillington, Petworth
West Sussex, GU28 9AB
Tel: 01798 342174
With all good wishes,
Joscelyn’s four daughters, Su, Jane, Sally and Anne
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Here are some of the many messages received. If you would like to send a message please email alumni@seaford.org
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I'm so sorry to read of your mother's passing, and offer you my sincere condolencies.
Coincidentally, Oct. 22nd was my 73rd birthday, now making that date all the more significant.
I was at Seaford College from 1956 to 1959, and though boarding school wasn't really where one 
wanted to be at the time,memories of those years - and your parents - become more fond as the 
years go by. What I am certain of, is that they are finally together again, and enjoying 'life' in another
sphere.

With best regards
Clive Goodwin
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Dear Old Seafordians,

I am currently indisposed and shall be sincerely grateful if you would convey my most heart felt condolences to the daughters and family of Mrs Johnson. I would like to add that like many boys at college I had the privilege of receiving the personal attention of both Mr and Mrs Johnson when they felt it was required to help me overcome various difficulties, especially as an overseas boarder. for this I have never forgotten and shall be forever grateful as I employ their teachings sometimes on a daily basis. If I can ever be of any assistance to them or anyone they would so refer if visiting Trinidad or the Caribbean region it would be my pleasure. 

Best Wishes, 

Azad Ali 
Honors Graduate 
Corsica 1990
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I was so sorry to read about the passing of your Mother and please accept my condolences at what must be a very difficult time for you all.

I remember her with much affection (I was at Seaford from 1970-75, Kymes) and sadly in many ways an end of an era. Your Mother had time for us, she showed interest in what we were doing and always had a kind word to say. She will be much missed.
Sadly I will not be able to make her funeral & the celebration of her life on the 2nd of November as I now live in Sydney, however I know you will get a huge turnout as she was such a well respected lady.

My thoughts are with you all & best wishes,
Simon Jones - m.
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So sorry to hear of the death of Joscelyn your dear Mum. My thoughts and prayers are with you all on this sad occasion I entered Worthing in September 1944 together with your Mum & Dad my memories still go back to those days.

Kind Regards
John Daniel
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This is very sad.

I remember having what they called extra English lessons (not dyslexia or learning support) with Joscelyn and having to write to her during the holidays to improve my English writing skills. She always wrote back.
I will be attending.

John Lloyd
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Good Evening 

I was very sad to hear of the death of Joscelyn Johnson although I left the school 50 years ago this year I clearly remember the great support she gave Charles as headmaster of our great school 
My condolences go to all the family at this sad time

With Kind Regards 
Rowan Cole 
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To Su and family. Very sorry to hear the news of your mother, my condolences to you and your family, my prayers and thoughts are with you all at this sad time. Your parents have left you with a great legacy with the college and its achievements.

Best wishes David Wright. Australia
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I am so sorry to hear the news of your mother’s passing. Of course, she led a very full and long life and there are many hundreds of Old Boys, such as myself, who will always treasure her memory.

She was a wonderful inspiration and a good friend as well as having a very sympathetic and generous nature. It seems that she was almost the last of that particular era (Lavington Park in the 1950s) to leave us but she will always be a central core of my time at Seaford College.

I would love to have been able to come to the funeral but, regrettably, Melbourne to Petworth suffers from the tyranny of distance! All the
very best to the four of you and my thoughts will be with you on November 2.

Warmest wishes,
Colin Goddard
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Sad news Sue - she was always very kind to me. My sincere condolences to you all.
Niall Washington-Jones
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My sincere condolences for the passing of Mrs Johnson, this kind, wonderful lady whom I had the privilege of knowing during my early Seaford College days in Worthing.

George Ellsmore
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My Heartfelt condolences on the loss of your Mother. Both your Mother and Father were very kind and fair to me when I came from Barbados in 1967 to the school. They were a wonderful team, and their enthusiasm and encouragement was amazing.
Kind Regards

Peter Tucker
Toronto Canada. 
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Very sorry to hear your sad news; I remember Mrs Johnson very fondly from my days at the College. My sympathies and best wishes to you all

Martin Stanton
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I have just received the news that Joscelyn, has passed away. I am so sorry for your loss. Charles and Jocelyn welcomed me so warmly when I first started at Seaford College as a raw young teacher in 1972 and were so supportive of all young staff coming to the college to join the 'Seaford Community' !

I saw Jocelyn earlier this term when she was out for some fresh air in her wheelchair with her carers and she greeted me with a smile and we chatted a while before I had to go off to Rugby training. She expressed her sadness when I had to tell her that my dear wife, Ann, has had to go into a Care Home as she has developed Vascular Dementia!

Unfortunately I will not be able to attend Jocelyn's funeral and Memorial service as that weekend I will be in North Shields visiting my daughter & granddaughter. 

I will send a card plus a donation for the Chapel Roof repairs.

Once again my condolences.
Keith (&Ann) Woodcock.
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Please accept my sincere condolences.

I was just a boy at the college but your mother was a very special lady and I shall always have special memories of her. If I may just share two of them with you. When I had only had my driving licence for a short time you father trusted me with his worseley ,to drive your mother to St Richards Hospital, to wait there and then to bring her back.
just a few years ago I called in to the college to collect a hat which I had accidently left behind at a remembrance day. I was surprised to be told that Jocelyn would like to see me.

I went down to the cottage and had a chat with her, and bought her book on the history of seaford college. she had an amazing memory, she could well remember my brother John who was there way before me, and was very unhappy. she toldme what she had done to try to help him. When I was leaving she asked me if I would put another log on her fire, she indicated exactly which log and where to place it.

A very special lady, I shall be at the funeral and will bring a contribution to the chapel roof fund. Please excuse this electronic reply, I shall deliver a proper card next week.

Once again my sincere condolences,
Michael Carr
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Thank you for this news, but which saddened me greatly. Your mother was one of the most wonderful people I have ever met and her ability to see through my poor initial test to get into Seaford and offer me a chance to take it again was one of the most generous and kind acts ever bestowed upon me. Without her, I would never have had such a good education, would never have made such wonderful lifelong friends as I did and not be the person I am now. She was inspirational and her making me the editor of the Mercreadian was a huge honour. I shall miss her greatly.

Sadly, I will be unable to come to the memorial service as I have a prior engagement which cannot be moved, but I shall definitely be there in spirit. My thoughts go out to you all.

With every best wish,
Yours, Simon Holder
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My sincere condolences on the passing of Joscelyn.

This was a wonderful, warm, empathetic, supportive and adorable Lady whom I personally remember with great fondness from my time at Seaford.

It is difficult not to make such statements sound anything other than the usual conveyance of banal platitudes which – through their ubiquity when shared under such circumstances – rarely convey the real depth of feeling that underly the words.

All one can ask is that their sincerity be believed and that her input into my own life was at many times absolutely seminal to my own
stability whilst growing-up – and she will always maintain a warm place in my memory.

Sincerely and with sadness,
Claude (Bruce Mitchell-) Avézard
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Dear Su, Jane, Sally and Anne -- Johnson family ,

I was in Lavington park from 1946 to 1949. Your mum Joscelyn, Mrs. Johnson used to give me some tuition in English language in your cottage. She was even kind enough to send me Cristmas greating which I still have.

I got the news when I was in Canada and Could not attend the funeral. Please accept my deepest condolences.

For your information, I like to point out that the two Kiranouf brathers, Lavrick in Lausanne and Timothy ( doctor ) in LA USA; have past away. We weir at Seaford Collage at the same time.

God Bless You all,
Manou.... Kagazchi Milbarough house

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It came out of the blue but I am so glad to have been at such a wonderful and optimistic send off for Joscelyn yesterday.
I remember her very well playing duets with Jerry at 'Tweets' lunchtime concerts.

Wonderful to catch up with Jane -Does she have an e-mail address -I am afraid of Facebook but let her know I have found my John Dunne textbook and will work to provide a definition of a metaphysical conceit which we will both understand!

It was unanimous that the Service was a tribute to a great soul and almost makes me feel a twinge of holiness.
Love to you all
Michael (Payn)