‘Amazing’ former councillor loses her battle with cancer

Friends pay tribute to woman who supported refugee children

I am honoured and blessed to have known Jane as a colleague and friend”

TRIBUTES have been paid to a former Hillingdon councillor and social worker who died on September 4, aged 58.

Jane Rose served on Hillingdon Council between 1986 and 1990 and was once the deputy leader of the Labour group.

She also cared for people with disabilities in the borough, worked as a social worker and supported refugee children throughout her life.

Paying tribute, friend Chris Bearfield said: “I have much admiration for the way that Jane faced her personal challenges with strength, courage and positivity, always smiling and seeing the best in every situation.”

A former colleague, Brin, said: “I am honoured and blessed to have known Jane as a colleague and friend.

“She was truly amazing and so committed and passionate about advocating for children.”

Jane, who died at Hillingdon Hospital, was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2003.

In 2015, the cancer returned and spread, which spurred Jane to set up her own business offering her experience as a social worker to an agency which worked with refugee children.

Jane continued her work with refugees until June this year, when the cancer made it impossible for her to continue.

Jane and her husband David Williams moved to Uxbridge in 1984, where Jane worked at a day centre in Hillingdon caring for disabled people.

She later went on to train as a social worker and supported vulnerable young mums.

In 1995 she visited Nepal for the first time, where she helped a young girl with her education.

Jane travelled to Nepal twice more to help those in need.

A keen community activist, she had also been a school governor, supported the setting up of the Women’s Centre and Women’s Refuge in Hillingdon and championed Little Britain Lake to encourage people to use it.

In fact, Jane started to make a difference to people’s lives at an early age.

When she was just 12 she spotted a letter in the Sunday Times, criticising people who went to comprehensive schools.

Disapproving, she wrote to the newspaper saying people should not criticise or judge others based on the school they went to. The Sunday Times sent a photographer round and Jane was pictured with her letter in the paper.

Jane’s dying wish was for her sister Sara RoseMcMullen to be with her at the end of her life, which she was.

She was surrounded by friends and family and was visited by the Labour MP for Hayes and Harlington John McDonnell.

Before her death, Jane was able to attend her grandson’s 18 birthday party at the Malt Shovel pub, in Cowley, in August.

PASSIONATE: Jane Rose