Janet Davies obituary

My sister, Janet Davies, who has died aged 89, dedicated most of her adult life to international development, ecumenical partnership and social justice.

From 1968 to 1986 she worked for Christian Aid in Merseyside and the north-west, and later became regional organiser. Based in Liverpool, and supported by Edward Patey, then dean of the city, Janet used her formidable communicating, networking and nurturing skills to forge grassroots alliances across denominations to deliver and celebrate the practical demonstration of ecumenism that was Christian Aid Week.

Her work in the establishment of the Merseyside Churches Ecumenical Council also helped to lay the foundation for the “Better Together” partnership of Bishop David Sheppard and Archbishop Derek Worlock.

Born and raised in Formby, Lancashire, to Margot (nee Rose) and Philip Crisall, a civil engineer, Janet went to Streatham House school, Crosby, and later trained and worked as a secretary.

Janet was a gifted pianist and choral singer. At the Southport Gramophone Society in 1968, she met and later married Alan Davies, an occupational therapist at Moss Side high security hospital in Maghull, Merseyside. He was a great supporter of her Christian Aid work. His death from cancer 11 years later was a great loss.