Canon Vic Barron writes:

THE Revd Jacqueline Broom, who died on 25 June, was a remarkable person, a dedicated colleague, a faithful counsellor, and a wise friend to many.

From teaching maths at Wirral County Grammar School, she felt the call of God to train for a new form of ministry. Having spent three years at Trinity College, Bristol, in 1981, she was licensed as Deaconess to Easton Christian Family Centre in inner-city Bristol, where I was the Vicar.

A talented preacher, imaginative worship leader, and compassionate visitor, Jackie soon needed all her gifts and more to minister in this tough and demanding church and community. Grace, humour and endurance were essential, and Jackie found these and more in her formative years in Easton.

It was in 1986 that Jackie sensed a new call of God, to Hong Kong and later Macao, to help the churches to grow there. This involved her not only in orientation courses but also needing to learn Cantonese. Her musical and mathematical gifts were very helpful in the language learning, and she was soon mastering it.

She spent 14 years in ministry with the Overseas Missionary Fellowship (OMF), both in Shatin, Hong Kong, and later in pioneering work in the gambling hot spot of Macao. The many tributes from her friends, colleagues, and church members in those places pay tribute to her creativity, her musical skills, and her love for the people, consistent themes in her life.

Ordained deacon in 1987 and priest in 1995, Jackie suffered a long period of illness from 1999, which meant her coping with increasing immobility, and reliant upon friends. Her faith and determination shone for all to see, and she was finally and fully enfolded in the arms of her Lord two weeks before her 63rd birthday.

She leaves a mother, a younger brother, and a hole in the lives of all those who loved her.