I received the sad news of the passing of Jean Roche from Penny Holloway on 20th March. During his time here, Jean was very much a part of Island life and contributed so much to the arts and cultural scene of the Island: his French lessons, his illustrations for our Signal articles, and the screening of his wonderful collection of French films will be particularly remembered. We will all miss him. Rest in Peace, Jean.
From Penny: “I’m writing to let you know that our beloved Jean sadly died in Sandringham Hospital Melbourne last Saturday afternoon. His struggle with cancer is finally over. However, in typical Jean fashion he was calm, peaceful and accepting to the end. His spirit is now flying free. Jean often spoke about Lord Howe Island and how the years he spent there were some of the best in his life. He loved the beauty, peace and friendship. Our daughter, Bethany and I will miss him terribly, but we know that he is now free of all his struggles”.
“Illustration by Jean Roche from a Signal article about George Ashdown, James Bishop and (?) Chapman, the first settlers at Old Settlement Beach”