Lower Darwen community stalwart dies - aged 67

Caring Janet Simpson was secretary of the Lower Darwen Village Community Association for more than 20 years, raising money and securing grants to enable the centre to open.

She helped out with a group of volunteers at coffee mornings, knitting clubs and computer classes and always put other people first.

Mrs Simpson suffered from vascular, lung and heart problems and died at home with her husband Bob at her side.

Mr Simpson said: “Janet was a very quiet lady who was always happy to work in the background to ensure the smooth running of whatever she was involved in.

“She was much respected by her peers, loved by the children who came into contact with her and adored by her family and friends. She will be very sadly missed.”

Mrs Simpson was also involved in the NHS Healthy Community Collaborative and was part of the APT group, which brought together people from Darwen, Lower Darwen, Ewood and Oaksfield to write and perform small plays encouraging people to be aware of Type 2 diabetes, adult abuse and stroke.

Mr Simpson said she would also be remembered for helping to organise funfairs and trips to the Lake District and London for children.

Coun Jacqueline Slater, who represents Lower Darwen, knew Mrs Simpson from her work at the community centre.

She said: “Janet was the kind of person the word community came from.

“She did everything for that community centre and she was one of the original people to start it.

“Janet worked extremely hard and she put the community centre before herself, even when she was ill.

“She was a lovely, caring person. Even with her health problems, she would come down to the community centre whenever she could.

“Janet always had a smile and she was just such a community spirited person.”

Mrs Simpson’s funeral will be held at Pleasington Crematorium on Friday at 1.30pm.

Family flowers only are requested, but donations can be made in her memory to Diabetes UK via the Co-op Funeral Service.