Norman Dunn's 'Hebburn and our Neighbours Forum'

Norman Dunn's 'Hebburn and our Neighbours Forum'
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RIP Jean Popay (nee McKenna)

Posted by AJG on 9/4/2026, 6:20 pm

Saw this in the Pictorial Hebburn Facebook group and wanted to share here in case anyone knew her. I used to play with her daughter Jane when we were very young.

POPAY
Jean (Nee McKenna)
Passed away peacefully on 30th March 2026, aged 85 years.
Beloved wife of the late Derick, much loved mam of Jane and Clare, mother in law of Kevin and Steven. A loving grandma of Amy, Thomas, Lily and Anna. A dear sister in law of Freda and sister of the late Billy.
She will be sadly missed by all of her loving family and friends.
Funeral service to take place at St Cuthbert's Church Hebburn on Wednesday 22nd April 2026 at 11.30am, followed by committal at South Shields Crematorium.
Donations if desired to be split between Living Well with Dementia and St Cuthbert's Church, Hebburn.
All enquires to Your Choice Funerals, 287 Sunderland Road, South Shields, NE34 6RB - 0191 454 4960

Re: RIP Jean Popay (nee McKenna)

Posted by Maria on 9/4/2026, 7:17 pm, in reply to "RIP Jean Popay (nee McKenna)"

Saw in the Evening Chronicle Deaths . Did not know the lady R I P. Always sad to see the obituarys you remember from the past in Hebburn .Glad St Cuthberts Church is still used .

Re: RIP Jean Popay (nee McKenna)

Posted by Maria on 10/4/2026, 8:16 am, in reply to "Re: RIP Jean Popay (nee McKenna)"

Sorry this is not the notice I thought I had read.It was another Hebburn notice .

Re: RIP Jean Popay (nee McKenna)

Posted by Norman Dunn on 10/4/2026, 10:08 am, in reply to "Re: RIP Jean Popay (nee McKenna)"

Our deepest condolences to the Popay family on the loss of their mother Jean. I have attached a photo of Jean's husband the late Derek Popay with added note on what they both did for St Cuthberts Church. RIP Jean & Derek.

Re: RIP Jean Popay (nee McKenna)

Posted by Mac Hardy on 10/4/2026, 10:22 am, in reply to "Re: RIP Jean Popay (nee McKenna)"

Didn’t know this lady but Derek and I were in the same class at Clegwell.

Re: RIP Jean Popay (nee McKenna)

Posted by Tom Stafford on 10/4/2026, 3:14 pm, in reply to "Re: RIP Jean Popay (nee McKenna)"

Very sad newa. My late wife Enid (Arkless) was in the same class at Clegwell School. She knew both Derek and Jean very well. Condolences to all her family.

RIP Jean Popay (nee McKenna) PHOTO

Posted by Norman on 10/4/2026, 4:20 pm, in reply to "Re: RIP Jean Popay (nee McKenna) PHOTO"
Edited by board administrator 10/4/2026, 4:23 pm

Hi Tom,
Ive looked through all my Clegwell girls class photos and this is the only one with Jean McKenna on it. Maybe your late wife Enid could be on it?
Did the Arkless family live in Coquet St 1950s?

Re: RIP Jean Popay (nee McKenna) PHOTO

Posted by Tom Stafford on 15/4/2026, 3:33 pm, in reply to "RIP Jean Popay (nee McKenna) PHOTO"

Hi Norman, sorry for late reply to your Arkless question. As far as I know, Enid's Arkless grand parents lived in Cobden Street, Jarrow, hence their connection to St. Marks church and then moved to Albert Road, Jarrow. She lived with Her parents in Howe Street, Hebburn until marriage to me. I believe there ar Arklesses in Dunston area of Gateshead who may be family but no connection has been made.

Re: RIP Jean Popay (nee McKenna) PHOTO

Posted by Norman on 16/4/2026, 11:33 am, in reply to "Re: RIP Jean Popay (nee McKenna) PHOTO"
Edited by board administrator 16/4/2026, 12:43 pm

Thanks Tom,
My wife's Raine family attended St Marks & my wife Joan remembers Enid playing the piano at the Pantomime. She thinks you played the drums Tom, but not certain.

Re: RIP Jean Popay (nee McKenna) PHOTO

Posted by Tom Stafford on 18/4/2026, 2:47 pm, in reply to "Re: RIP Jean Popay (nee McKenna) PHOTO"

Enid did play piano for musical shows and pantomimes as she was Musical Director for the Caprian Theatre Company for thirty eight years. Sorry to disappoint Joan but I cannot play any musical instrument. My involvement with shows was very much behind the scenes My guess is that she saw our late friend Tony Leake from Tweed Street, Hebburn who played for us for many years.

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[ Norman Dunn's 'Hebburn and our Neighbours Forum' ]

Rules! No bad language or derogatory remarks or we will delete. Anyone sharing our content on Face Book must credit 'Hebburn and our Neighbours'.