A LONG-SERVING chaplain at Poole Hospital and former president of the College of Health Care Chaplains has died suddenly at the age of 68.

Canon Jane LLoyd (née Naylor), who established, led and has been at the forefront of the chaplaincy at Poole Hospital for over 30 years, died at home on April 12, following a short battle with cancer and treatment at the hospital.

Described as a “visionary” by her husband Canon Nigel LLoyd, Jane used her position at the hospital to start up the bereavement centre at Poole Centre, in particular the area of neo-natal death.

Having started out as an industrial chemist, she and Nigel met when they trained alongside each other at the Lincoln Theological College in Lincoln.

Nigel said: “She was the love of my life and I am really devastated at her death.

“She helped to start up the bereavement centre at Poole Centre as she knew the importance in allowing people time and space to grieve.

“She helped the hospital come up with a way in which parents grieve neo- natal deaths, which they still call Jane’s Way.”

Bournemouth Echo: Poole Hospital NHS Trust - Canon Jane Lloyd giving a service in the hospital chapel. Picture credit: Phil Yeomans

Set up in 2008, the Butterfly Garden at Poole Hospital was championed by Hospital Chaplain Canon Jane LLoyd as a home for the ashes of any deceased baby and a space in which parents and family can grieve in peace.

She performed a regular monthly service for the very young babies that have not lived.

As one of the first women to be ordained as a priest, Jane also regularly spoke out for the gay community and equal rights in her role as a chaplain before it was the norm.

She also helped set up Poole Hospital’s Africa link with the Bishop Moses of The Sudan and was also a board member for the Lewis Manning Hospice Care.

She was president of the College of Health Care Chaplains as swerved as president of the UK Healthcare Professionals Council in 2005.

Jane leaves behind her husband Canon Nigel LLoyd as well as her daughters Tori and Charlie, and granddaughters Keira and Ella.

Following her death, Canon Nigel LLoyd has said that he has received a lot of commemorative cards and support from people in the community, as well as from Poole Hospital.

“It has been overwhelming the number of cards I have received. Not just cards passing on people’s condolences, but countless stories about how Jane helped people and families," he added.

“She had a great gift of friendship; she had the ability to talk to and get along with anyone.

"She was very unstuffy and didn’t get involved in church politics, she instead focussed on her role as a chaplain and had a pastoral heart.

“Above all, it was the greatest privilege of my life to be her husband.”

Many of her colleagues at Poole Hospital have been devastated by the passing of Canon Jane LLoyd.

Since Monday April 19, a memorial book and candles have been left in the prayer space at the hospital for colleagues to write their tributes.

Bournemouth Echo: Canon Jane LLoyd with Moses Deng Bol, Bishop of Wau from The Sudan

On Friday April 23, Jane’s funeral cortege stopped outside of the hospital on Longfleet Road so that her colleagues were able to pay their respects in a socially distanced manner.

The cortege then carried on to St. Nicholas Church in Corfe Mullen for a private family funeral service.

There are plans for a memorial service to be held on Friday June 25 for Canon Jane LLoyd at St Mary’s RC Church on Wimborne Road, Poole.

It is hoped that lockdown restrictions will be eased by then and all those who want to celebrate Jane’s life can attend.

Chief executive of University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust Debbie Fleming said: “Canon Jane LLoyd was the epitome of compassion, providing a listening ear, counselling, and support for all, at all hours of the day and night.

"She will be remembered and deeply missed by many, including our staff and the countless patients and families she cared for at Poole Hospital and beyond.

“During her 30 years at Poole Hospital, she has provided pastoral and religious support to thousands of patients, their families and hospital staff. She was passionate about our hospital, chaplaincy and the NHS.

“She was immensely creative and pioneering in many aspects of our pastoral provision, in particular in the area of neo-natal death.

"She was involved in chaplaincy locally, regionally and nationally and for a period she held the post of president of the College of Health Care Chaplains.

"We send our heartfelt condolences to her family.”

A notice posted in the Echo described her as "a much loved wife, mum, grannie, and friend to many" who "will be greatly missed". 

Jane requested that there should be no flowers but donations in her memory for Lewis - Manning Hospice or Poole Africa Link.

These may be sent to the Funeral Director, Chester Pearce Funeral Service,

14, Neighbourhood Centre,

Culliford Crescent, Poole,

BH17 9DW.

Tel: 01202 612210.