I got to know Jenny best through the two book groups we both belonged to for many years. One was the Penzance Ladies' Book Group, which had existed from 1770 to 1914 and which inspired a few of us to re-constitute it, having seem its records in the Morrab Library. Unlike most book groups, PLBC meetings had themes (anything from 'Black' to 'River', 'Memory' to 'Gluttony'!) and we all brought along a reading, poetry or prose, fact or fiction. Jenny always brought something interesting and different. With her wide range of interests, Jenny really was a one-off. She also contributed two of her own poems to a book of poetry and prose the PLBC produced in 2006.

The other group was he Non-Fiction Book Group that my husband, Robin Lenman, and I set up in 2011. As with most book groups, we took it in turns to choose a book, introduce it and then all discuss it. Jenny's choices were all memorable and ranged in subject matter from gardening ('The Founding Gardeners' by Andrea Wulf) to literature ('The Young Romantics' by Daisy Hay and 'The Written World' by Martin Puchner ), to natural history and science ('The Invention of Nature' by Andrea Wulf and 'The Cabaret of Plants' by Richard Mabey). Her choices demonstrated the extraordinary breadth of her interests and knowledge. Her oral contributions were always succinct and to the point and her mind continued to be as sharp as a new pin! She will be sadly missed

Jenny always came over as a strong, independent character, but she was also a good team player, got on well with everyone and was always polite and positive.

She seemed to cope with Lockdown surprisingly well: surrounded by her beloved books and her plants, she seemed happy, even without the computer and Zoom so many of us have depended on during these past months! Our last meeting with Jenny was in the summer when she came for tea with us in the garden. It was a thoroughly enjoyable occasion with lots of interesting conversation and one we shall treasure.