Ron and Thelma's 1960 541R

Ron and Thelma Smith's 541R
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zacmarshall
Posts: 5223
Joined: Mon Oct 17, 2005 4:22 pm
Location: Bristol, UK

Ron and Thelma's 1960 541R

Post by zacmarshall »

Ron and Thelma Smith were founder members of the Jensen Owners' Club back in 1972.

Sadly Thelma passed away in December.

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Ron and Thelma at Windsor Castle.

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Above photos by Nic Cooper


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Ron and Thelma in their element. Photo by Steve Johnson

Alan and Jean Smith wrote this obituary:
Thelma Smith
1937 to 2017.
Our sorrow, grief and love to Ron.
Thelma was born in Linton, near Burton-on-Trent. After attending infant and junior schools she went on to Ashby-de-la-Zouch Grammar School. She was a keen athlete being the Netball and Rounders team captain. She was also very proud of being chosen to hurdle for the County of Leicestershire. Thelma decided to make a career of teaching and trained to be a teacher at the Derby Teachers Training Collage, choosing Arts & Crafts and Music as her specialist subjects. She remained in the teaching profession for 30 years becoming Head of Department before taking early retirement in 1987.
We have known both Ron and Thelma, whom she married in 1959, for many years. They came as a package, Thelma was the ‘Organiser’ and Ron was her ‘Right Hand Man’. Their dedication and hard work for the JOC cannot be exaggerated. Thelma, together with Ron organised and ran every single event in the JOC calendar. These events included: - The International Weekends, the Spring Weekends, the indoor shows such as the Classic Car Shows at the NEC, Manchester and Brighton and of course the legendary ‘Stoneleigh’. The local ‘Noggin and Natter’ was held at their home in Linton.
Thelma’s standards were extremely high, which gave the club its reputation for perfection, a reputation carried over to this day. In 1997 Thelma, together with Ron received ‘Honorary Life Membership of the Jensen Owner’s’ Club’, given by the Chairman of the time, Ed Pillinger. In 1998 they jointly won ‘Britain’s Leading Classic Car Club Personalities’ at the NEC awarded by ‘Classic and Sportscar’ magazine. In 2002 they were the subjects of a ‘This is Your Life’ presentation given by John Lane. And in 2006 they were instrumental in the Club being awarded ‘Club of the Year’ by the same magazine and Meguiars. Also Thelma was responsible for winning many ‘Best Club Stand’ around the country.
As I said before Thelma’s achievements for the club cannot be exaggerated, she dominated the scene for many years and as we found out, can never be replaced, she was formidable and funny, it was for us and many more an honour and privilege to have known her.

For more about Thelma:
https://www.joc.org.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=26728
C-V8 II 104/2146 CHJ 948B
ex FF II, Interceptor I, II and III, SP, GTs and Healeys. You might say I got the bug....
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Martin R
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Location: Chipping Norton, & Sydney Australia

Re: Ron and Thelma's 1960 541R

Post by Martin R »

I cannot think of a more fitting "Car of The Month" Zac.
RIP Thelma.
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