Teacher who died from cancer honoured through her artwork - The Leamington Observer

Teacher who died from cancer honoured through her artwork

Leamington Editorial 22nd May, 2019   0

A LOVING family are honouring their late mum and wife, and those who cared for her during her last days, through her artwork.

Former Leamington teacher Jan Taylor passed away from cancer shortly before Christmas.

Her daughters Kate King and Susie Simons, and husband Brian Taylor, held a memorial art exhibition to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support and Shakespeare Hospice.

The family managed to sell most of the artist’s work – raising over £10,000 to be split between the two charities.




Before embarking on her teaching career in the UK, Jan spent time in Ghana which had a cultural influence on her sculpture work.

She went on to hold workshops for festival-goers in Glastonbury, where some of her ceramic work went on display.


As well as her sculptures, the artist was known for her sketches. She often used any materials she had to hand including coffee and red wine.

Her family say most of her paintings remained private and Jan was surprised when people were willing to pay gallery prices for her work.

Kate said: “It’s been lovely to do something so positive together as a family and to feel connected to mum through her art. Seeing all her work together in one place made everyone appreciate the talent she had. And despite mum not being one to enjoy being the centre of attention, I think even she would have been impressed with how good it all looked together.”

Brian was also pleased by the event’s success.

He added: “The joy for me was watching faces as they entered the hall and mouths opened and smiles appeared and the word ‘wow’ was on everyone’s lips.

“Whilst many had pieces of Jan’s work they had not realised she was prolific and they loved seeing a full range of her work in one place.

“They just hoovered it up with virtually everything being sold by the end of the weekend. Very gratifying for all of us and a weekend we will remember for years to come.”

Visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/JanTaylor to donate to the family’s cause.

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