Nanette Elizabeth Lovell MBE

2nd December 1941 to 24th March 2025

 

In Memoriam

Order of the British Empire, Civil Division, Central Chancery of the Orders of Knighthood

St. James’s Palace, London SW1, 28 December 2019

THE QUEEN has been graciously pleased to give orders for the following promotions in, and appointments to, the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire: M.B.E. To be Ordinary Members of the Civil Division of the said Most Excellent Order:

For services to Young People and to the community in Northampton.

 

Nanette Lovell, former NODA East Midlands Councillor, was an incredible woman, with a vast knowledge of local and national musical theatre and a real love of NODA. Her methods may have been 'old school' but she was always extremely well organised and hard working. At the funeral on 1st July in Towcester, Robert Laurie (celebrant and close friend), spoke about Nanette as the elegant lady, the sharp and bright networker, the organised, loyal, supportive and encouraging career woman, the beautiful and lively entertainer, the loving and faithful friend, cousin and aunt.

Nanette was Northampton born and bred, growing up in Chaucer Street as an only child, although she had several cousins living nearby. She attended St. Matthews CofE school, then  Notre Dame High School. She joined the Girls’ Brigade and went to ballroom dancing classes, later entering competitions and picking up awards.

When school days were over, she went to work at The Town and Country Building Society (now Nationwide), and this is when she developed her lifelong interest in theatre and performance. She would regularly go to performances at the Repertory Theatre – now the Royal Theatre – with Judy Maloney and Jenny Chandler, both lifelong friends.

However, never satisfied with just being a watcher, Nanette decided to try her luck in the wider entertainment world and auditioned successfully to become a Bluecoat for Fred Pontin at the Riviera resort in Weymouth. She was a real hit with all the holidaymakers, but her chief delight was taking part in the shows they put on – Variety and Old Time Music Hall. On her one day off, she regularly took herself off to Bournemouth or London to see the shows, cementing her love of theatre. For several years she spent the summer by the coast, and returned to Northampton every autumn, taking a variety of temporary jobs. Eventually, she returned to Northampton permanently, to take on a ‘proper’ job with the Northampton Education department, starting as a minutes secretary but soon taking on other roles and responsibilities.

Sally O’Neill, retired Headteacher at Lyncrest School and good friend of Nanette, shares these memories:

“Nanette was the Chair of Governors at Lyncrest Primary School in Northampton and she supported Lyncrest for many, many years. She knew the parents, pupils and staff very well and had a special interest in Special Educational Needs and Inclusion. When Lyncrest was awarded flagship status she insisted staff went to a London show to celebrate and we all remember what fun we had. She was in demand at other schools too, often joining governing bodies at the request of the local authority. She used to tell us that at one time she was on seven different boards of governors, but she seemed to take it all in her stride.

Nanette loved to talk about her work with the Young Carers Charity and she also put a lot of effort in to all these voluntary roles. They gave her a lot of joy too. In around 2018, colleagues from these organisations were asked to support an application with Lyncrest School for an M.B.E, Thanks to those letters of support, the application form was completed and was successful! When Nanette received the M.B.E she was so surprised as the whole process had been a secret! She was as high as a kite and told everyone she met! We were so pleased that she was delighted with her M.B.E which she richly deserved for her long years of service to education.”

On her return to Northampton, the lure of the greasepaint was still strong and she joined the Northampton Amateur Operatic Company (now NMTC – Northampton Musical Theatre Company) and for a while, the Gilbert and Sullivan company. She also joined the Playgoers Society, formed to support the Royal Theatre, and latterly the Derngate too, and in time became a board member of the Royal and Derngate, as well as working front of house for a number of years at both theatres. It really was her passion.

She then moved on to join NODA, and became East Midlands representative, invited to visit many local am-dram companies, watching and reviewing their shows and eventually stepping up to take over as councillor, a role she held for 12 years. Her weekends were filled with travel to all parts of the region, supporting and promoting many groups, and arranging the Annual AGM and awards event in Loughborough. Quite an undertaking for someone supposedly retired! Whenever Nanette took on a project, it was never simply done, but always carried out wholeheartedly, followed through and completed in the best way she could. The Nanette Lovell Award for Best Play in East Midlands Region will continue to be offered every year, in her memory.

Holidays were always well planned and over the years, she visited many European countries and latterly enjoyed cruising in the Med, Norway, the Baltic and the Caribbean. Sounds ideal for Nanette – lots of entertainment, loads of people to meet (she was the queen of networking!), a chance to dress up every night and plenty of shopping opportunities! She loved buying gifts for her friends, as well as the occasional treat for herself.

These memories show a little of the full and active life Nanette led. She really enjoyed being with people, which makes it all the sadder that she became so withdrawn towards the end, but she has left us all with so many memories, so hopefully she’ll be a topic of conversation for a while longer! Robert also mentioned her celebrity friendships – Ken Dodd, Sue Pollard, Keith Harris, David Jason, Dick Emery, David Turner to name but a few.

Mindy Robinson recalled some highlights of Nanette’s life, for instance in 2005, Nanette took part in Wakey Wakey Campers. A 1960’s style holiday camp reality TV show. Nanette was a member of Northampton Amateur Operatic Company (now Northampton Musical Theatre Company) for 35 years. Mindy fondly recalled her prolific letter and card writing skills, the only person who ever sent Easter cards to her friends. Mindy spoke of Nanette as a vibrant, energetic and elegant lady. Mindy recalls Nanette being so generous, organised and easy to share a dressing room with and is sorely missed. Anthony Howes also spoke eloquently about how Nanette has supported him throughout his whole life and made such positive contributions to his stage career.

Robert also stated,

“We all know that the last few years were particularly challenging for Nanette, with the isolation of Covid Lockdown, her health and mobility issues and the limitations of no longer driving, which all contributed to her decline and gradual turning away from her previously busy social life. Sadly, she became increasingly isolated and withdrawn, until she would see only a few remaining friends. I know that she would want to express her gratitude to Mindy Robinson, for her comfort through her final days, to Bonnie, her cleaner and carer, for all her help and support through these difficult times and especially to Andrew Percival, whose friendship over many years went above and beyond, helping her with everything from shopping and lifts, to paperwork, dealing with NHS, carers, household maintenance, financial advice and being the emergency contact. We all feel that Andrew has been an absolute star and the best and truest of friends. We are all in awe of what you did to support Nanette and thank you wholeheartedly.”

Nanette’s Life Celebration included an especially arranged reflective piece of music by David Rose, a sing-a-long version of ‘Lullaby of Broadway’ and tributes from many friends. As the song ‘For Good’ from one of her favourite musicals Wicked played, she took her final curtain. The service reflected Nanette perfectly, she would have loved it.

Robert said,

“Nanette, may the light of love shine forth upon you – on those for whom you care and those who cared for you. May you be ever blessed with peace and understanding as you travel on, and may you come to the end of your journey in gentleness and in joy. Nanette has been a good friend to so many of us for so many years and she lived her life as fully as she could. Hundreds of people from all walks of life, shared moments in her life, she had taken on adventures and commitments, supported and nurtured others, achieved well deserved recognition and earned the love and respect of so many people. We’ve loved having you around, we feel privileged to have known you and you have enriched our lives enormously.”

Afterwards friends, family and colleagues shared stories and cake at The Walnut Tree. So many fond memories were shared, a few tears were shed, but lots of smiles and laughter too.

Jules Jones

NODA East Midlands

Regional Councillor