Jackie Provis Remembered
We are sorry to report that Jackie Provis died on Saturday 21 May 2011. Jackie was Honorary Secretary of Equity North and West Yorkshire Variety Branch for 19 years. Here, some of Jackie’s friends and colleagues in Equity remember her.
We wish to thank June Martell for allowing us to publish the Eulogy she gave at Jackie’s Funeral:
As many of you are well aware Jackie had been a professional singer for many years, working all over Great Britain and abroad. She was also the secretary of the North and West Yorkshire Variety Branch of her beloved Equity. Jackie was very upset when she could no longer carry on with her duties and she will be greatly missed by all her fellow artistes and friends. On a personal note, I first met Jackie in 1966 when we were singing in a very high class venue called "The Dolphin" in Wakefield. My singing partner Annette and I, The Martell Sisters as we were known then, were staying at some horrendous digs and Jackie's minder Daddy Jack, her dad, said to us you are not staying here you are coming home with us, and so began a life long friendship with Jackie, Mama Mary, Daddy Jack, George, Sheila, and not forgetting Grandma May. We had many happy times, too many to mention but two stick in my mind. Jackie had a season in Spain at a very posh hotel where all the stars stayed, such as Sean Connery etc. We decided we would go and see her, so Mamma Mary, Sheila, Annette and myself set off in Sheila's Sports Triumph Herald and what a journey. We sailed from Southampton and landed at Bilbao in Spain and then drove to Torremolinos. When we arrived at the hotel it was so expensive we couldn't afford to stay there, so I stayed with Jackie in her apartment and the rest of them slept under the boardwalk!!! Jackie and I didn't care - we were sorted!!! What a wonderful time we had together; I will not go into any details as Sheila would have a fit. Another time Jackie, Annette and I were singing at Leeds Infirmary for Jimmy Saville, and on the bill was Eartha Kitt. After the broadcast Eartha was taken ill and Jimmy asked if we would be so kind to drop her off at the Queens Hotel. As you would expect Eartha was beautifully dressed in a long plum coloured coat and when she got out of Jackie's car she was covered in white dog hairs. We drove away so fast Sterling Moss would have been proud of us. Jackie couldn't care less - her dog Whiskey, a West Highland Terrier, was more important to her than any star. We worked many venues and had some wonderful times together, times I will never forget. We worked some of the best places and some of the worst, but we always enjoyed it because we were together. I told Jackie the Sunday before she passed away, I loved her and I always loved her and that will never change. Goodnight and God Bless my dear, dear friend.
Brenda Martine, Branch Treasurer:
Jackie has been a stalwart member of Equity. Throughout her illness and indeed before, Jackie never missed a meeting, whether of the Branch or the Equity Annual Conference. She has always been there for our members. I shall miss her terribly as will a lot of others.
Jackie was also extensively involved with the RSPCA, her favourite charity. With her sister Sheila, Jackie was always collecting raffle prizes and arranging fund raising days and over the years they raised a lot of money. In addition, Jackie volunteered to visit people who wanted a pet from the RSPCA to make sure that the animal had a suitable and loving home waiting for them. She was a very special lady and god bless her.
Kieran O’Regan, former Branch Vice-Chair:
Jackie was the glue that held Branch meetings together and she was always friendly and welcoming. She was a great person who I am very proud to have known and meetings will not be the same without her.
Valerie Jean Mann, who succeeds Jackie as Branch Secretary:
I have very fond memories of Jackie, her dedication to both Equity and the R.S.P.C.A. was a credit to her.
I remember when I moved to a smaller house over twenty years ago, I just happened to say to Jackie: "I don't know what to do with all the things I don't need," and straight away her quick reply was: "I'll have them for the R.S.P.C.A.". So we set off with a car load of things to the R.S.P.C.A. shop. The same thing happened a few years later when my son was getting rid of all the baby gear. "Great, a baby gate! Just the thing I need for my new puppy," said Jackie. Her devotion to and love of animals was unbelievable. She was the most genuine person I have ever met, nothing was too much for her to do.
Some people come into our lives and quickly go, some stay for a while and leave footprints on our hearts. Jackie was someone whose footprint will never be forgotten.
Nigel Jones, Equity North East Regional Organiser:
Jackie joined Equity in 1988 and I first met her in 1990 when I came home to the North from our Head Office. Late in that year the Branch was in a state of shock when Chair Edgar Hutchinson died suddenly and Secretary Sharon Lee Jones moved to Blackpool. Kim Le Mar and Jackie saved the day becoming Secretary and Assistant Secretary respectively. 18 months later Kim stood down and Jackie was Secretary from that date in 1992 until her death 19 years later in May this year. I saw her perform only once and was impressed by the power of her voice and the professionalism of her delivery. As Branch Secretary, Jackie was a friend and ally, and was always welcoming and inclusive to all the members who attended meetings over the years. And it shouldn't be forgotten that she flew the Branch flag at every Annual Conference until 2010, speaking from the rostrum in most of those years. It is perhaps stating the obvious to say she will be greatly missed.
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