Jennifer Chevallier Guild, the wife of Aspalls tycoon John, passed away at the family home in Aspall earlier this year.

A shrewd judge of character and a devoted friend and mother, Jenny, as she was known, was fiercely loyal to the people she loved and made sure to cherish them.

“Once you were accepted into her inner circle, you were a friend for life,” said Jenny’s eldest son, Barry.

Jenny was born on May 7, 1942, the third of four children born to Brian and Monica. Jenny was part of the well-known Gooch family of Benacre, her paternal uncle being Sir Robert Gooch, who owned the estate.

Jenny and her siblings, Arthur, Lisa and Tom, were raised in Pulham St Mary in Norfolk before moving to Tannington Hall, north of Framlingham, in the depths of the Suffolk countryside.

Jenny as a child, playing on stilts.(Image: Chevallier Guild family)

Jennifer (right) with sister Lisa and their ponies.(Image: Chevallier Guild family)

Jennifer (left) with her brother, Tom, playing with the family rabbit.(Image: Chevallier Guild family)

In many ways it was an idyllic childhood, with days spent horse riding and exploring the sprawling family farm. Jenny was very much raised the old-fashioned way, being presented to her parents each evening before being put to bed by her beloved family nanny, Nin.

Nin, knowing of Jenny’s shyness, felt sure that she would make a terrific friend to her niece, Juliet, and arranged for Jenny to attend a party her niece was hosting.

The two would become friends for life, with Juliet being godmother to Jenny’s children.

The pair moved to South Kensington after school, living with Jenny's siblings Lisa and, for a time, Tom. It was a carefree, happy time for them all.

Jenny pictured as a young woman.(Image: Chevallier Guild family)

This was the era when debutantes were still introduced to society in a series of parties, and Jenny was determined to make her entrance in style.

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© Eastern Daily Press