Jill Angus

Obituary Thelma Jill Angus (maiden name Stahl) Born in New forest south Hampshire on Wednesday 8th October 1947 , to war veteran Donald Stahl and Ellen Stahl. Passed peacefully in hospital on 09 July, 2026, holding her daughter Donna’s hand. Only ever called Jill from birth due to her older sister Meg’s insistence. Not just being called Jill became a gripe throughout life and she would not even acknowledge Thelma as her name – proving problematic at times at airports, hospitals etc. Jill lived a charmed childhood in Fawley and Calshot in South Hampshire living near the new forest and its pony’s. She would recount tales of a childhood of a mother and father who loved her unconditionally and wanted for nothing. Youngest of three children, with two older siblings Meg and Clive. Jill  focused on winding up her studious brother who she called a ‘square’ (something she profusely regretted later in life) once Meg left home. Jill had a wild side as well, from hoping on her brothers scooter as a teen for a cheeky pose, to climbing out the bedroom window and down the drain pipe to go to a disco or wherever with her childhood friend also named Jill. Jill lived somewhat of an idealistic childhood her dad would take her out on the boat fishing, or she would be off visiting the many relatives in south hampton and other local areas. Later after leaving school working in factories making life jackets. Mark her son was born in 1966 and Jill took to motherhood effortlessly. She later married Terry, after he continued to woo her, Terry said the first time he laid eyes on her, he told his mate next to him “he was going to marry her”. A love story began that night, a joining of their different upbringings and souls for the rest of their lives. Jill and Terry were married on 10th August 1968 although it was a standing joke they married each other twice, having both a vicar from the local church for Jill, and a catholic priest for Terry – with everything done by each dominations rules. Jill had the assumption that the family were going to continue to reside in Fawley in their new home. However, not long after the wedding the house was packed up on the back of a steel wagon by Terry, and Jill was told her and mark were off to sunny Southbank (Terrys hometown). After just over a year of living in Southbank, in December 1970 Jill returned “home” due to her fathers health. The south bank house was packed up shot in a lorry travelling in that direction, and the family returned to Fawley to live near Jill’s now widowed mum Ellen for a few years. Terry a northerner to the core yearned to return up north- but Jill stood firm “I’m not going back unless we get a house and move to Redcar”. The battle line was drawn and the terms decided. Eventually a house was secured. Jill, Mark and Jill’s Mum Ellen moved to Redcar mid 70s reuniting the family under one roof, later moving to a bigger house near the seafront in Redcar; to accommodate the growing family need, after the birth of daughter Donna after a decade long fertility struggle. After working in places such as Whessoe canteen and Dewhurst factory. In 1982 Jill became a stay at home mum to newborn Donna and 15 year old Mark, in addition to a full time carer for her mum who was 70. To say this was her life’s work and purpose is an understatement, she didn’t just love and care, she went above and beyond continuously for those around her, a guiding light and a comfort to those who were privileged to know and love her. Her family was precious and she couldn’t do enough for them all. Jill would be the one to consistently hold her children’s hands and hearts through their hardest and darkest moments. She was an involved and devoted parent she volunteered for the primary school and as a swimming coach at Redcar swimming club where Donna attended. Jill later volunteered for the WRVS at stead hospital after her mums passing in 2000. Jill was not without her heath scares. In the mid 80s experiencing a haemorrhage losing multiple pints of blood, Jill used to recount the story of how she was heading towards the white light, before being slammed back into her body – because it wasn’t her time. In 1997 Jill suffered a catastrophic cerebral aneurysm (brain haemorrhage) the family were told it was unlikely she would pull through, if so she wouldn’t be the same. Doctors discovered further bleeds in the brain requiring surgery later if she survived. It was touch and go for many months in the hospital, she survived, and was completely unchanged – a medical miracle. Prior to the arthritis and osteoporosis slowing Jill down, Jill was a frequent visitor to Canada where her brother and her sister and their families emigrated to. The first visit being in 1988 or there abouts, with her mum and daughter Donna where all her siblings and their mum reunited all together in one place for the first time in nearly 20 years. There was never more than a few years between trips after that. It was a standing joke that if Terry annoyed her/went on a “blacken” she would be found at Pegasus travel agents, booking a flight before he had chance to sober up, and she’d be gone for at least 6 weeks sometimes 2 months, long enough for her ginger skin to take on a touch of a tan. Over the years of travel she bonded more with her siblings and her nieces and nephews, becoming a familiar face and her visits looked forward to. She visited Canada more than 9 times in her lifetime, the last visit being to care for her terminally ill sister. Jill was a frequent traveller with Terry, friends and family, enjoying holidays across Spain, Greek islands and Turkey. She was always game for a laugh and was a bit of a dare devil, the setting depended on the action. From going on fast water slides with her daughter and then loosing her bikini when reaching the bottom, to convincing her best friend Kim to go paragliding (Jill was 58). Or when Jill decided with her friend Dawn to put shampoo into the SPA jacuzzi at the hotel abroad they were staying in – causing a room of bubbles- they frantically tried to resolve the issue, with very little success before abandoning and fleeing the scene. I have to mention Bingo when we talk about Jill, she loved it. Whether this be Bingo at the social club, bingo hall, casino or even prize bingo in the 90s at Las Vegas arcade. I don’t know how she could play so many bingo books/cards at once – it was a skill. She was quite territorial over the prize bingo seats, getting a little annoyed at times if someone else was sat there as she knew her numbers – and would play a full small row of boards (4 seats worth), sometimes for hours per day, it was a good place to start your hunt for her in the days before mobile phones. The bingo scaled back upon Jill’s mum passing, and bingo was just on occasion with the grandkids on caravan holidays etc to try and win as many bingo prizes for the kids as possible. Jill was a wonderful friend and neighbour to those who knew her, she would do anything to help someone. She was kindhearted and genuine, people were always welcome, there was always enough food to stretch round to feed another, including Christmas Day. Jill enjoyed her regular weekly nights out with Terry and meeting her friends in the old Navy Club throughout the 80s and 90s hoping there was a “good turn” booked to accompany one of her favourite tipples a mackeson stout or a whiskey and ginger. As a fantastic mother Jill really came into her own with her Grandchildren being at the birth for two of them. Jill named her granddaughter Ellen after her mother who passed 2 years prior. Jill threw herself into being a source of strength for Donna supporting her daughter’s journey as a single parent. Jill urgently flew home from Canada in a panic when Eve was born premature, to be beside her daughter. Jill treasured her only grandson Harvey and was thrilled Stahl was included in his naming. She worried about and idolised all of the grandchildren, and from each of their births became a consistent part of all their lives. Ellen & Eve spent most weekends with Jill having fun with nanna. All the grandchildren knowing she had a soft spot for them and was extremely proud of anything they did – eagerly handing over cash for any certificate they received and presented to her. Jill was thrilled with them equally whether that be Eve studying medicine, doing well in school or clubs, or just being good kids. Taking pride in watching them grow and mature. Jill was proud of Ellen, for being such a fantastic mum, it made her so happy. Sharing a special bond from the weekends, and from Ellen moving in throughout Covid. After all it was a known fact that at times they required a referee of sorts in their 70s even after decades of marriage. Both Jill and Terry were thrilled to be great grandparents experiencing a new generation gave them a new lease of life, happiness and was a blessing to both of them. Adelaide and Aspen brought sunshine, giggles and energy to a house they were both confined to for the last few years. Jill being the go to nanna for her stash of cakes that were easily given before their tea. Jill idolised Mark and was thrilled to see him married, loved and happy finally. Loosing Mark to cancer in November 2024 devastated Jill, due to her own heath and frailty she couldn’t do what she longed to do as a mother, struggling to grieve his loss and cope with him passing before her. Loosing her beloved husband and soulmate Terry earlier this year in March 2026 broke her, she had said that he wasn’t supposed to go before her. May they find each other, rest easy and at peace. Only Terry was fully aware of the extent of Jill’s health struggles and she continued for the few months without him, trying to fight her countless lung conditions.  Not wanting the remaining family to know the extent. She kept the family hopeful about future plans that were unable to be fulfilled; such as booking a mini break in a cabin so she could see the great grandchildren on holiday, or Staying at her sister in laws for a couple of weeks in the future. There were days when you knew she had enough, but she kept fighting, right until the end, to help those around her with the grief of Mark and Terry whilst struggling herself, her spirit was strong but her body was too weak. The last few months of Jill’s life was filled with daily visits from her daughter. Many more visits from grandchildren and great grandchildren and close friends and family. Memories shared, stories told and solitude taken in being together as a family listening to each other and loving one another. Jill would want to be remembered for the good times, for her love, kindness and friendship. She lived as a good person, and shall always be remembered as one of the most fabulous, full of life people of them all. Any donations in honour of Jill please direct towards Macmillian Nurses Charity. Jill’s favourite reading; Footprints in the sand follows: “One night, a woman had a dream.  She dreamed that she was walking along a beach with the Lord.  Across the sky flashed the scenes of her life.  For each scene she noticed not one but two sets of footprints in the sand.  She understood immediately that one set of footprints belonged to her, and the other to the Lord.  But then she noticed a curious thing.  At the lowest and saddest times of her life there was only one set of footprints. This bothered her, so she asked, “Lord, why is it that, during the most difficult times in my life, the very times when I needed you most, you left me on my own?”  The Lord looked at her and put his arm around her and said, “My dear child, you know that I love you and would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, those footprints are mine – for it was then that I carried you”.