Jurat Mazel Joan Le Ruez MBE (née De Gruchy), who was well known for holding regular meetings of local Brownies and Guides in a chalet at her home, passed away at Lakeside Care Home on 3 November.
Educated at the Girls Collegiate School, Mrs Le Ruez went on to become a guesthouse proprietor.
But she is better known locally for starting up the St. Mary Brownies in 1958, expanding it to the Guides two years later.
Over the years, she took a number of leading roles in the movement locally, rising from Vice-President of Girlguiding Jersey to President, Island Commissioner and President of the South-West Region Trefoil, and received a number of awards in recognition of her service.
“Mazel Le Ruez was a member of Girlguiding for over 50 years,” current Island Commissioner for Girlguiding Helen Barette explained.
“Starting first the St Mary’s Brownies in 1958 and then Guides in the Parish two years later. Over the years she also held the positions of Island Commissioner and President of Girlguiding Jersey.
“The support that she gave to girls and leaders over the years has enabled many girls and young women to experience the fun and adventures of Girlguiding. With many of us having fond memories of meetings in her garden chalet which was converted into a meeting place for Brownies, Guides and Rangers. She will be much missed by her friends in Guiding and Trefoil Guild. We offer our sincere condolences to her family.”
In a joint celebration of her birthday and immense contribution to the guiding movement, Jersey Trefoil fixed her an afternoon tea and party at Samares Manor for her 80th (pictured top).
Mrs Le Ruez’s contributions to public life, which earned her an MBE in 1997, expanded beyond helping adventurous young women, however.
In 1987, she made history when she became a Jurat, as Attorney General Mark Temple explained.
“Jurat Mazel Le Ruez retired as Jurat almost exactly 18 years ago to this day, but her service to the island’s judiciary is well remembered, these many years on.
“In 1987 she was only the second woman to be appointed to the office of Jurat, and gave devoted and distinguished service until 2003, most notably as a panel member of the Juvenile Court.”
Pictured: Jurat Le Ruez retired from her Royal Court role in 2003.
He added: “I am sorry to hear the sad news of her passing and my thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends.”
Retiring as a Jurat 18 years ago didn’t mark the end of her public service – she remained a “treasured” member of the St. Mary community.
Parish Deputy David Johnson told Express: “Throughout my period as Deputy of St. Mary, Jurat Le Ruez shared her views on political issues of the day with me on many occasions. As one would expect, her contributions were always well made and valued on my part and I shall miss them greatly.”
In 2005, she chaired the committee responsible for organising the parish celebrations for the 60th anniversary of Liberation Day.
At the time, she told parishioners: “As this year will see the last major celebration of the Liberation we have decided to pull out all the stops to make this a day to remember.”
A Parish newsletter published shortly before the 70th anniversary celebrations 10 years later noted: “The thinking behind those words by Jurat Mazel Le Ruez… was that there were fewer and fewer parishioners left who had experienced the Occupation. It was felt that the Liberation was on the cusp of moving from living memory to written history.
“In the event Mrs Le Ruez was entirely right about pulling out all the stops in 2005; it was indeed a day to remember.”
Express sends its sincere condolences to the friends and family of Jurat Le Ruez.