Long-serving midwife delivered many babies from Brighton

Jill Read brought generations of Sussex children into the world. She delivered babies from the same families many times and cemented life-long friendships with her charges as they grew into adulthood, becoming midwifery patients themselves.

Born in east Kent Jill, at an early age, told her mother that she wanted to be a nurse and bring babies into the world – an ambition that she certainly achieved.

She trained at Kent and Canterbury Hospital where she won the top prize for midwifery.

Jill’s next role was cycling round villages in Ramsgate, and she would take her bag with her in case someone needed a midwife.

Jill worked in Pembury Hospital, near Tunbridge Wells, where she became friends with colleague Kate Bones. The adventurous pair sailed via the Panama Canal and Tahiti to work as midwives in Wellington and other parts of New Zealand, before safely delivering more babies in Australia.

Jill returned to England in 1966 and worked at the University Hospital Coventry. The hospital received a royal visit and Jill showed The Queen round her ward.

When a new midwifery department opened at The County Hospital, Jill transferred to Brighton and lived in Queens Park. She the became Sister-in-charge of the premature baby unit . The humble midwife was particularly proud that the many tiny babies under her wing all survived and thrived – and she enjoyed training new nurses. She loved seeing them develop into outstanding professionals.

Unfortunately, Jill had been dealt a cruel hand – Crohn’s Disease. While she accepted it without complaint, she was eventually forced to take early retirement from her much-loved job.

Despite a number of serious operations at The County Hospital over a prolonged period, Jill was determined to continue pursuing her interests.

She greatly enjoyed holidays, gardening, and activities with the National Trust, the Women’s Institute and the church. Jill relished being with children and helping youngsters with their reading and arithmetic at school. Seaford became Jill and Kate’s retirement home, but they were frequent visitors to Brighton for concerts and theatre trips.

Kate Bones died in December 2017, but Jill soldiered on despite increasing frailty before moving into a nursing home.

Even after Jill retired, many remembered the dedication and kindness she had shown. Her Christmas mail always contained many appreciative messages, from people she had worked with at home and abroad, and from former patients, who had been delighted to keep in touch with Jill. Her Crohn’s consultant told the family: “Jill was always a very lovely patient to look after and I hope she rests in peace.”