(Photo: John den Outer)
Astrid, Pieter, Ed, Susan and myself (DavidB) were all very saddened when we learnt of Jean’s death. She was one of Dame Shirley’s super fans. She had been a fan for many years and lovingly followed Shirley’s career. She went to numerous concerts following Shirley all around the country and also to different parts of the world to see her idol perform. The really lovely thing about Jean was that she was a genuine fan and was respected and liked by ourselves and many others.
Astrid and Jean were very good friends and she is deeply upset by her passing.
Pieter said: ‘I think I have known Jean at least 30 years and I always saw her, and spoke to her at the concerts in GB as well as abroad. We also occassionaly wrote to each other in times when there were no concerts. Yes, she was one of the best and kindest fans I have known.’
Both Susan (bigspendah) and Ed were deeply saddened when they heard the news. They both knew and liked Jean very much.
Ed fondly recalls speaking with Jean on many occasions and sharing memories and thoughts on all things Bassey. He said ‘Jean was a Bassey oracle and had so many wonderful stories to tell. Even quite recently when she was in so much pain she showed remarkable bravery and good humour and her dedication to Bassey and her fans never faultered. With her sad passing I’m sure Jean would join me in reflecting on how fortunate that we all are to share our common passion of a love for Bassey and how this passion, and of course the music, helps us through the best but also the worst of times. Thank you for the years Jean, may you rest in peace’.
I have already expressed my feelings in my earlier post.
Our thoughts and prayers and I’m sure those of many other fans who knew Jean are with her partner Jan, her sister Audrey, and all her family and many friends at this very sad time.
Jean will be laid to rest at a private family funeral to be held on 8th January.
Dear Jean, we will remember you and this video is especially for you ……..
The comments function has been enabled so that you may share your own tributes and fond memories of a greatly loved follower of Bassey. Click Here if you can’t see the comment box below…
Dame Shirley Bassey Blog 
Was saddened to read Ed’s comments about the sad passing of Jean,like myself I know she was a great fan of Shirley,now let us all hope that her pain has gone and that she may rest in peace. May God bless her soul.
Michael X
LikeLike
Jean sounds like a wonderful person. i wish for strength for her friends and family during this sad time,RIP Jean you will be missed….Cindy
LikeLike
Although I didn’t know you personally, I knew of you through the many fans I have got to know over the years. You came over as a very warm and caring person and I feel proud to share the same music and affection to the one person who in some way bought us “all together” – Shirley.
May you rest in peace Jean.
Terry.
LikeLike
Bless you Jean from one SB fan to another.
LikeLike
WE WERE PERSONAL AND BASSEY FRIENDS OF JEAN FOR ALMOST 30 YEARS AND SHARED SO MANY “HIGHS” WITH HER.. QUEUED WITH HER – SOMETIMES FOR MORE THAN 24 HOURS, AND WHO COULD FORGET FRONT ROW SEATS AT THE ALBERT HALL WHEN MICHAEL ASPEL CAME ON WITH THE RED BOOK AND WE WERE ALL TRANSPORTED TO TEDDINGTON LOCK STUDIOS TO WATCH IT BEING FILMED, THE WONDEFUL ALFRESCO MEAL IN THE CAR PARK AT MIDNIGHT, THE WONDERFUL NIGHT UNDER THE STARS AT THE MONTE CARLO SPORTING CLUB IN 2006 WHICH JEAN ORGAINSED – “I’VE BOOKED A TABLE FOR 12 – CAN YOU AFFORD IT AND DO YOU WANT TO COME”??? DID WE EVER SAY “NO” TO JEAN. WE CAN’T BELIEVE SHE’S GONE – BUT AS LONG AS THERE ARE BASSEY FANS SHE WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN.. I REMEMBER SENDING HER A “HELLO” MAGAZINE JUST A FEW DAYS AGO WITH A PICTURE OF SHIRLEY GOING TO PRINCE CHARLES BIRTHDAY PARTY, AND SHE WAS SO THRILLED TO RECEIVE LIKE IT WASTHE FIRST TIME FOR HER-WE WERE BOTH OVER THE MOON THAT SHIRLEY LOOKED SO WELL – THE EXCITEMENT NEVER LEFT HER – WE JUST HOPE THAT SHE KNEW JUST HOW MUCH SHE WAS LOVED.
REST IN PEACE, DEAR JEAN – LOVE ALWAYS, DONALD AND SHEILA
LikeLike
I grew up listening to Shirley Bassey, in Baja California, Mexico. As time passed by and the innovation of cyberspace provided the chance to a better approach to Shirleys music, it is indeed the moment to acknowledge the merit that Jean takes in this privilege. Bless be Jean for striving so hard to give us all the chance to learn more about Shirley and be closer to the enchanting world of her superb music world. Enhorabuena, Jean, descanza en paz.
Benny Novelo
Ensenada, B.C: Mexico
LikeLike
I was so sorry to hear of Jean’s sad passing. My thoughts go out to Jan, Audrey and all of Jean’s family and friends. I will always have fond memories of seeing Jean’s happy face at Bassey concerts, the last time being at Bangor, North Wales in the torrential rain – it didn’t stop us enjoying ourselves though, did it Jean? I can still remember how cheery you were that night as we waited for Shirley to take the stage.
Your love of Shirley will live on in all of the fans who knew you!
Never forgotten.
Susan xx
LikeLike
I am so grateful to Ed for sending me this email. Any fan of Dame Shirley is a fan of mine. Whoever loves Shirley must be a very passionate and intelligent person. She must have been one of a kind. I am sure Dame Shirley will be sad to k now that one of her beloved fans is gone. May God Bless her soul in an everlasting glory. Love julia
LikeLike
I’d like to thank the opportunity of sharing this tribute to a person that dedicated most of her life being a real fan. Many people do not care about this great feeling that is loving an idol. I, in my 38 years old, really know what is loving and attending someone that you like a lot. So, dear Jean, my respects to you my darling. Please take care of Shirley from above. Thank you for your dedication. Rest in peace. With my respects. Eddie. And may I say thank you to everybody else who posted this comment box. São Paulo, Brazil- 31/ dec/ 2008.
LikeLike
May your soul rest in peace and light perpetually shine upon you.
We are one in spirit through Dame Shirley Bassey.
LikeLike
I thank you so much for sending me this e mail, so i have the opportunity of giving my respects to another great fan of our idol. Rest in peace, and my sincere thoughts to her family and friends for this big lost. I hope that Dame Shirley BASSEY will be informed about this sad news, so she will be able to send her tribute at this loyal fan of so many years. It is for sure THAT JEAN IS WAITING AND DREAMING FOR that special e mail of her IDOL
LikeLike
I am deeply saddened by the news of Jean’s death. Being in faraway Malaysia, I had no chance to really get to know her. I only met and talked to her a few times when I flew to UK for Dame Shirley’s concerts. But that was enough for Jean to send me a Christmas card every year without fail. I wondered why I did not receive one this year. Now I know.
One year when Jean heard that I was looking in vain for Shirley Bassey’s single of There’s No Place Like London which was long out of print, she bought a copy and gave it to me. On retrospect, she may have given me hers. Bless her kind and generous soul.
LikeLike
Earlier today I received the news of Jean’s death from Ed. Bless him for I wouldn’t have known otherwise. I met Jean several times in New York when she would fly over to see Shirley at Carnegie Hall and Westbury Music Fair. I particularly remember one afternoon in the parking lot at Westbury on a balmy September day, with Madeline and Bill and other local fans listening to Shirley rehearse her songs through an open door that faced the lot! We were mezmerised and trying not to make noise so Shirley wouldn’t hear us! Jean was a lovely woman, so kind and friendly. I loved the “woop woop!!” sounds she made whenever we were cheering Shirley! Some were captured on audio tape over the years! Jean was an active member of the Collectors Club I had back in the day. It is a great loss to all who knew her. At least now we can take comfort knowing that she is at peace and pain free.
LikeLike
In the arms of mary.
r.i.p
LikeLike
Very sad news
LikeLike
Goodnight God Bless Jean, with love from a dedicated Shirley Bassey fan. x x x
LikeLike
God Bless you Jean,
May you rest in peace, you will not be forgotten by the legion of fans of Shirley, you are but a whisper away.
LikeLike
my thoughts are with jean and jan and her family although i did know jean i did read her postings etc and felt wanted to post this message god bless howard x
LikeLike
Like many others I have only met Fans by my daily look at the site over the years, but was deeply touched by the sad news of Jeans departure, You will be greatly missed but am sure you will still be looking in at the rest of us and keeping up with the news of the Lady who brought us all together.
Denno.
LikeLike
As my computer was down for a few days, I never got the chance to go online to check my favourite site….and then a text from Jeans “rock” Jan who had been trying to contact me for days to tell me the sad news….my heart sank.
Jean had something in common with her “idol” she had such a zest for life! She appreciated the simple things that we all take for granted in this fast moving world, she loved to sit in front of the sea and appreciate its calming powers. She was positive beyond belief. I met her only once in the cavernous MEN Arena after a DSB concert and she could have lit the venue with her glow of excitement. She even invited me to Monte Carlo with her! (but I couldn`t go) We, Jan,Jean and I kept in touch ever since. I have a vast collection of DVDs of DSB and, during her illness I made a point to send something to her virtually on a weekly basis to raise her spirits. I got such a buzz knowing she would too.She nicknamed me her Angel Of The North, quite a title to live up to I can tell you! There is something very beautiful when the power of music and performance can heal and comfort even in the darkest of hours. Jean was one of the most repectful fans ever. She was in Brighton once and saw DSB and Michael Alexander walking up a side street. Jean wouldn`t even glance at her beloved Shirley respecting her privacy that she was “offstage” I learned alot from Jean about the old days of the `60s and `70s when without the internet Jean slept on the street to get tickets for concerts. I only know that DSB has some wonderful people rooting for her,this blog is a “love-in” with the most superb kind of people like my dear friend Jean Reade was….I shall miss her…Jean my darling ,although we were only in contact only a few days ago, I can`t believe you are gone. You will always be in our hearts, you were a one off. Much love to Jan and the family, our friendship and love will continue….We thank Jean for the years xxx
Love NEIL DALRYMPLE, FIFE, SCOTLAND
LikeLike
I am sending my deepest and heartfelt thoughts to you, dear Jan
Since hearing the news I am walking around saddened at every step
A very special lady, indeed
As you remember, we first met after Llangollen concert when I was madly taking pics of DSB! Jean kindly asked me to forward copies of the pics and since then was the start of an honest and dear understanding of DSB and each other
Jean, luv, thank you for being you
We love you so much
Ian
xxx
LikeLike
I AM JEAN READE’S SISTER AND MET SO MANY OF YOU AT THE CONCERTS WE ATTENDED SINCE 1959. IT HAS BEEN QUITE UP-LIFTING AND A GREAT COMFORT TO READ SUCH LOVELY COMMENTS ABOUT MY SISTER..OF COURSE I AM BIASED AS SHE WAS MY BELOVED YOUNGER SISTER WHOM I HAD WATCHED GROW FROM A BEAUTIFUL BABY, THROUGH TEENAGE YEARS UNTIL A YOUNG WOMAN AND THEN
WE FOUND A MUTUAL LOVE OF DSB— AND MET SO VERY MANY PEOPLE WHO BECAME LIFE-LONG FRIENDS. IF I STARTED TO LIST THEM IT WOULD FILL THIS BLOG AND MANY MORE PAGES TOO. IN PARTICULAR I HAVE TO MENTION SUSAN (BIGSPENDA), AS I HAVEN’T GOT YOUR E-MAIL I CANNOT SEND IT PERSONALLY, BUT I KNOW YOU HAVE A PARTICULAR INTEREST IN BREAST CANCER RESEARCH & INDEED RECENTLY RAN A RACE TO RAISE FUNDS…THANK YOU SUE. DAVID S. FROM HUDDERSFIELD, FOR YOUR HOSPITALITY AND HELP IN THE PAST. THEN THERE IS NEIL WHOM I MET WITH JEAN AT MEN, MANCHESTER & I CAN CONFIRM, NEIL, YOU RAISED JEAN’S SPIRITS ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION….THANKS NEIL. ALSO ASTRID AND PIETER (WHOM I WILL CONTACT SOON). AS I CANNOT THANK ALL OF YOU INDIVIDUALLY, MAY I JUST ASK THAT AT 2.30.p.m. ON THURSDAY , 8th JANUARY YOU WILL SAY A LITTLE PRAYER FOR ONE SUPER, WELL-LOVED LADY (& ON THIS OCCASION I DO NOT MEAN DAME SHIRLEY) WHO, LIKE YOU WAS A DEDICATED LIFE-LONG FAN OF DSB IN THE TRUEST SENSE OF THE WORDS. MY BEST WISHES TO YOU ALL AND THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN…………….. AUDREY
LikeLike
To all who have left a message, I am Jean Reade’s niece and after reading all of the heartfelt messages I felt compelled to post a note. Rest assured various members of the family have read your kind words and they have provided great comfort to us all, I am personally blown away by your messages.
Aunty Jean was always full of life and laughter; it was never a dull day when she was around. She will be greatly missed.
Nicola
LikeLike
Audrey & Nicola’s postings were very touching and I shed a tear for Jean today.
May her soul rest in peace knowing she was much loved. May the loved ones she left behind celebrate her life and not just mourn her death. R.I.P Jean.
LikeLike
Last week I sent a personal message to David B., Ed, Pieter and Astrid regarding the loss of their dear friend and superfan, Jean. Now I feel I must also say, after reading all of these wonderful posts, that I did not know Jean, but I wish I had met her because she was so well-loved by all of her friends, Shirley-fans, and family. I would have loved to have enjoyed her generosity, exuberance, joyful and positive outlook, and her light-hearted nature. You were all blessed to have had her in your lives, and now, God bless her in return.
LikeLike
Firstly can I introduce myself I am Tracey, Audrey’s daughter and Jean’s niece. I to would personally like to THANK everyone for their kind messages. I have found great comfort from reading them all.
As you all know, Jean was, and still is, a true DSB fan and she was listening to Bassey right to the end.
Please can I also make a small request to all DSB fans. If it is possible, on Thursday 8th January at around 2.30pm please choose one of your favourite Shirley Bassey songs and play it in memory of Jean. I am sure she will be able to hear them.
I will deeply miss having Jean around but I know when ever I hear Shirley Bassey or see Shirley Bassey Jean will be there, somewhere.
LikeLike
I am so very sorry to hear the sad news. I will indeed play a song for Jean on the 8th Jan. I have been a fan of Shirley since the very early days, and have most of her recordings. I think that I will play for Jean the 1959 song Count on me which is still one of my favourites today. I have seen Shirley in concert around 10 times. Prince of Wales Theatre 1966,Talk of the Town 1970, the year my Dear Wife Moira and I married. Then the Albert Hall a few times,throughout the 70s. Our last concert was 2000 MIllenium Year at the Royal Festival Hall.May Jean rest in peace. Alan Vandyke
LikeLike
I have just sat a browsed through all the kind and touching messages for my wonderful auntie Jean and cried my eyes out. its lovely to know so many people think so much of Jean. thank you everyone. we are travelling down to devon tomorrow and we will think of you all on thursday, playing your favourite dsb songs. sing along, think of Jean and smile as there will be enough tears shed at her funeral.
LOVE YOU JEAN AND WE’LL NEVER FORGET YOU.
Dave Reade.
LikeLike
I did not know you Jean,, but we will eternally share a common bond, our love for the miracle of the wonderous voice of Shirley Bassey… May you rest in pease
LikeLike
Im one of Jeans neices, we all loved her so much, she was always a great bundle of fun and love.
Thank you to everyone who has sent these messages, they have really touched me, and will touch the rest of the family too.
Its great to know how much Jean was loved, anyone who met her could not fail to love her, she was great.
Jan, Im so sorry for your loss, you bought so much love and happiness to Jeans life, Im so glad she met you and moved to Devon with you. God bless you, Jan.
love Stacey.
xxxxxxxxx
LikeLike
To my great aunt Jean.
I will miss you more than words can ever say
And the funny cards you would send on my birthday
You were an aunty that was one of a kind
You were cheerfull and would always speak your mind
Now that you have gone
You will never leave us your memories will live on
Aunty Jean will we forget you? NEVER
Because you were a diamond and “diamonds are forever”
LikeLike
i have just created a page on facebook ” IN LOVING MEMORY OF JEAN READE”
anyone is welcome to leave comments and pictures on there too.
LikeLike
There was only 1 Jeanie in this world….& she was my sister…xx
LikeLike