Nova Palaquibay’s Memory
My favorite memories are playing in the garden, riding Fairy Tale Brook at Legoland, and her dog Pepe. I remember her being really sweet and giving and wanting us to be happy. She had that special Grandma smell. You know what I mean when someone shares your DNA and they smell like it? Not a funky smell just a familiar smell.
Alma Hunt’s Memory (transcribed by Kelley Hunt)
She remembers walking across Runnymede with Justine, with jam jars in a basket, looking for tadpoles and newts.She remembers eating roast dinners in bed with her sister when it was cold.
And she remembers lighting little bonfires on their late father’s slippers!
This final memory made Alma howl with laughter when she remembered it.
Apparently, she and Justine often got in trouble for giggling when they should be serious.
Lovely memories.
Chris Hunt’s Memory
Some of my fondest memories of your mother as a child were the Easter egg hunts in your garden and walks along the river. My main memory though will be the many conversations that I had with her regarding our family’s history particularly regarding the Purches and Woodward families.
Jan Brener’s Memory
Justine – 3 things
Justine was kind. Those who have known her for a while will be aware that she had a soft spot for small, vulnerable creatures. There was an era when a retinue of tiny but fiercely loyal little dogs resided in Faun’s Glen, whose comfort and happiness were high in her priority. Years before meeting the lady herself, I was introduced to this aspect of her nature when a gnarly, unprepossessing little dog named Peta, whom Justine had rescued from a bad situation in Tennessee, befriended me and paid that kindness on. Even back then it was clear that the person who had looked after Peta and appreciated her unobvious charm must have been gentle-hearted and discerning. In recent years, more than one vulnerable cat has been drawn to make its home in or around hers, where it was nurtured and treated with sensitivity and just the right degree of attentiveness. Justine also loved the presence of young humans, and, as a miniaturist, specialized in capturing their peculiarly delicate quality of innocence. After my children were born, they loved to visit Justine at Faun’s Glen, to play in the wonderful garden and walk by the river.
I was older than they were on my first visit, at the awkward age of 14, as a sort of step-child or diagonal niece. I had enough experience of complex, extended family dynamics not to take it for granted that I’d be welcome, but welcomed I was. There was no hint or feeling of being out of place. The unforced and convivial atmosphere that afternoon was as refreshing as it was surprising. She was gracious, and this brings me to the second thing that instantly springs to mind when I think of Justine. Being new to the United Kingdom and its ways, the fact that it had an actual Queen made a big impression. To me, Justine became somehow identified with her. There was a resemblance and a poise, a classy self-containment – perhaps it the Old Windsor air, but I always felt she, without any apparent intention, effortlessly out-queened even the Queen herself.
Which is why the third thing I associate with her is so striking. In contrast to what we see (in public, at least) of HRM, Justine was independent; she went her own way. There was nothing conventional about her. She was creative and talented. She intrigued people. She had mystery. There were individuals who carried a life-long torch for her. When she was older, even after she became ill, she continued to excite people’s interest. I feel very lucky to have spent time with her. She was wonderful company: honest yet private, curious yet tactful, mischievous but never mean. She maintained a unique and appealing zest for life which, along with that kindness and graciousness, will always be present when I think of her.
Jasper Brener’s Memory
I met Justine shortly after arriving in London from Johannesburg in 1960. We were introduced by a post-doc in the lab in which I had become a graduate student. I was 21 years old at the time and had never met a woman like Justine – beautiful, independent, intelligent, highly literate, humorous and a really good chess player. I aspired to be a good chess player too but I never took a game from her. We set up home together in Maida Vale and shortly thereafter were married in Windsor. Her father gave us his house in Beckenham and we moved in there. Both of our children, Adrian and Yolande were born while we lived in that house. Adrian was born in Beckenham Hospital whereas Yolande was actually born at home. Justine became a full-time housewife while I finished my Ph.D.
About 18 months after that had been accomplished, we sold the Beckenham house and the four us set off for Tennessee. We rented a house in Shangrila Drive but after a few years in this new environment our marriage came apart and Justine, Adrian and Yolande returned to live in Windsor. She and I remained friends. We frequently spoke in the phone and met in person once or twice a year. As the years progressed, our friendship continued. Until the Covid outbreak, I visited her annually and often walked with her and Adrian down the river bank to have lunch at the Bells of Ouzeley where, before ordering a mixed grill she would say “As you know, I eat like a bird ……….. a vulture.” Justine was always an elegant, intelligent, interesting and humorous person whom I shall miss greatly.
Justine Brener Memorial Site 