Red coffin tribute for former Burnley councillor and Padiham mayor who was 'Labour through and through'

Jean died in the Royal Blackburn Hospital last week of covid pneumonia, aged 76.

The red coffin reflects Jean's strong ties to the Labour Party and was a long standing request she had made to her family.

Well respected throughout Padiham and the wider area for her tireless work in the community, Jean was devoted to her hometown and its people.

Born and bred in Padiham, Jean was the only daughter of baker George Bromley and his wife Emily. She attended St Leonard's Primary School and, as a child, won prizes for roller skating.

Jean went on to become an accomplished ballroom dancer, winning accolades for her skill. She married her husband, Jack, in 1962 but he died aged just 45 in 1985 after suffering a heart attack.

Jean spent many years working at the former Main Gas in Padiham. A keen flower arranger and cook, Jean would regular style the flowers and make buffets for the weddings of colleagues. She was also shop steward at the factory and this ignited her love of politics.

When she took early retirement in her late 40s due to health problems, her political work began.

Jean's daughter Debra said: "She always said she was 'Labour through and through' and she was always helping people, from taking pensioners who lived on her street to hospital appointments, to campaigning for things that needed doing.

"She was never afraid to speak to her mind or voice her opinion if she felt there was an injustice."

Jean represented Hapton with Park from May 2010 to May 2018 when she lost her seat to Tom Commis by 53 votes.

Tributes have been paid to Jean by leading party members and also former Burnley MPs Peter Pike and Julie Cooper.

Jean was also an active member of Padiham Town Council and served as Mayor twice, in 2010 and 2016.

Jean launched the annual Padiham Duck Race, a family fund raising event that drew hundreds of visitors to the town annually.

Debra said: "My mum was really proud of the duck race, it was her baby."

Jean also had a wealth of knowledge about community grants and funds that charity groups and other organisations could benefit from.

The current Mayor of Padiham Coun. Vince Pridden paid tribute to Jean saying that whatever she took on 'Padiham and the local community were at the forefront of all her endeavours.'

Coun. Pridden said: "Jean will always be remembered for her constant hard work and commitment to any project she took on especially her work involving the Padiham Community Fund.

"Jean was on the council from the onset of the new council forming in April 2002 and was Mayor and served on many committees within the council.

"She served on every mayoress's committee since the start of the Padiham Community Fund being set up with the aim of raising money throughout the year to give back to the community and local groups.

"Many of these funds were raised through council events such as the Padiham Duck Race, Party in the Park and the Christmas lights switch on which she organised and, all of which never seemed to be too much trouble."

Jean was devoted to her family and had a wide circle of friends and she loved going to bingo and playing darts for Molly Rigby's club in Padiham. And in the past she had enjoyed several cruise holidays with friends.

Plagued with health and mobility issues in the past year, Jean had been confined to her home due to the pandemic, but she continued to help people where she could, even organising a tree planting event.

Jean also leaves her sons Nigel and David, grandchildren Katie, Sophie, Nicola, Lauren and Ella and great grandchildren.

A private funeral for family and close friends will be held and donations are being accepted for the Padiham Community Fund in Jean's memory c/o Bertwistle Funeral Service at 46, Burnley Road, Padiham .