MOST people know Jill Glencross as the owner of a much-respected Funeral Directors she has run independently since 2018.
However, there is a whole other side of Jill's life that has contributed to her being the winner of the Cumbria Woman of the Year 2022, an accolade she said she is 'absolutely honoured' and 'privileged' to have received.
Jill, who was born in Carlisle, spends her spare time working on several key community projects, whether it be as a patron of the Carlisle Youth Zone or the hard work she puts into organising the Christmas 'memory tree' for families who have lost loved ones.
The mother of two has lived in the village of Dalston with her husband Russell Hind, children Abbie and Matthew, black cat Lenny and jackawawa Roxy for several years.
Jill has become a much-respected member of the community in Dalston where she runs her business from, having cared for almost 1,100 families since opening four years ago.
After almost 24 years in pathology, Jill decided to make the leap to become a Funeral Director working for Walkers, John Tremble and Michael Walsh (all part of the Dignity chain) before eventually deciding the time was right to establish her own Independent Funeral Directors in 2018, with the business going from strength to strength since its opening.
At a ceremony attended by several of Cumbria’s finest women, Jill was praised for her selfless acts of kindness performed through the Covid-19 pandemic, she tried to brighten up people’s lives with her 12 random acts of kindness which coincided with the 12 days of Christmas.
The mother of two would leave gifts at secret locations with clues as to where they could be found on social media, these simple acts of kindness would put smiles on the faces of people in the darkest of times.
The gifts ranged from flowers, chocolate hampers, champagne and vouchers.
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But it wasn’t just the pandemic that triggered Jill’s need to help people. Long before coronavirus the ‘selfless’ community champion has looked for ways to help those going through grief, setting up and hosting a social evening once a month where those who had lost loved ones could come together and support one another.
Jill said: “This isn’t bereavement support, just a lovely get together and everyone is welcome”.
Speaking about winning the award, Jill said: “I wasn't sure who had voted for me or why. I wondered if it was because of the business (Jill Glencross Independent Funeral Directors Ltd) but discovered it was not just that but everything I do and have done in my personal life also.
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"I certainly did not expect to win which was why I was completely gobsmacked when Hannah McNulty started reading out about the winner and I thought "hang on, that's me" the more she read the more I realised it was me!
"At that point the tears started.
“I am absolutely honoured, privileged and even more determined to continue doing what I do. I love helping people and giving back. There is nothing like the feeling of helping someone else.”
The Cumbria Women of the Years 31st Anniversary Luncheon, where Jill was awarded the honour, was held at The Belsfield Hotel in Windermere on Wednesday, October 5 2022.
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