A dedicated community volunteer has been remembered for her lasting impact on Sudbury’s trademark art gallery, following her death last week.
Jane Lowe died on Wednesday, just a few weeks after celebrating her 78th birthday at her home in Sudbury, where she lived for more than two decades.
She was best known for her service to Gainsborough’s House, where she volunteered as head gardener, fund-raiser, and a member of the friends committee.
Jane Lowe was a long-time volunteer and supporter of Gainsborough’s House in Sudbury. Picture: Contributed
Her crowning achievement – the art museum garden, inspired by the house’s Georgian origins and the artwork housed within – earned numerous accolades in the horticulture industry.
In addition, Jane was recognised on the national stage at the British Museum in 2018, when she picked up the Marsh Award for Volunteers in Museum Learning.
Former Gainsborough’s House director Mark Bills described Jane as a fantastic volunteer and friend, who gave so much of her time to support the museum.
He highlighted her devotion to the garden, and her work to organise many events of the years, including the garden party.
Mr Bills said: “Jane had moved to Sudbury 22 years ago. She was able to develop her lifelong interest in gardening by volunteering at Gainsborough’s House, where she became head gardener.
“The garden – an oasis in the centre of Sudbury – was her pride and joy, and it won many awards and featured in many magazines.
“Her devotion to it was admirable, and it was a joy to sit in the garden and to enjoy the annual garden party in such beautiful surroundings.”
Before relocating to Sudbury, Jane lived much of her life in London.
After working clerical jobs early in her career, she took up a position as an events coordinator at The Barbican Centre, a prominent performing arts venue in the capital city.
Jane’s brother Ronald told the Suffolk Free Press: “She was highly regarded there, and had a very senior position. They put on all sorts of things at the Barbican, and she was in charge of coordinating.
“She was very loyal to her family and friends. We kept in regular touch, and she always told me lots about what she was doing.
“She was very personable and sincere, and didn’t take to fools kindly.
“She left at the Barbican at turn of the century and decided to move to Sudbury.
“She thoroughly enjoyed her time there. She was a very keen gardener, and got all sorts of commendations for her gardening.”
Speaking about the Gainsborough’s House garden before she died, Jane revealed that she was inspired by the art of Thomas Gainsborough and the Cedric Morris paintings on display in the gallery.
“I think it is rather nice that we have the Morris irises in the garden,” she said.
“As he was an artist, he was after painterly and peculiar colours. He was the first man to breed pink irises.”
Mr Bills added: “It is impossible to think of the garden without thinking of Jane – the Cedric Morris irises, the Mulberry tree and all the beautiful varieties of plants that she introduced.
“Jane gave so much of her time to Gainsborough’s House, which benefited enormously from her devotion to it.
“She was on the friends committee for many years, and helped organize many of the events including the garden party.
“She gave her time freely, and even knitted socks, scarves and gloves, which were sold in the shop to raise much-needed funds for Gainsborough’s House.
“She was witty, bright, and a joy to her friends and her passions for horticulture and Victorian art was engaging.
“There is also the Jane Lowe rose, which was given to her when she left the Barbican – a fitting tribute and a lovely reminder to her friends.”
Details of Jane’s memorial service will be confirmed in due course.