‘Loving’ and ‘devoted’ wife beaten by long illness

A man has paid tribute to his ‘truly devoted’ and ‘loving’ wife who passed away last month aged 78 following years of ill health.

Janet Brown was born in Cockfield but spent much of her life working in Bury and Mildenhall, including more than 20 years spent working in local schools.

She was married to husband John, with whom she had two children and three grandchildren, for 53 years. They had lived in the same house in Mildenhall since 1962.

John said: “Janet was a truly devoted wife, mother and grandmother who dedicated much of her life to ensuring the family she loved was well supported.”

Janet suffered from degenerative disease progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) for some years before her death. Upon her request, her brain was donated to the Cambridge Brain Bank to help with future research.

John said: “She seemed to accept it [her illness] with a patience and understanding that was both humbling and inspirational.”

Janet worked as a shorthand typist at West Suffolk Council and at RAF Mildenhall and RAF Lakenheath before starting work as a secretary in the 1970s, first at Beck Row Primary School then in College Heath Middle School in Mildenhall, where she worked until her retirement in 1999.

She was introduced to the Bury Bach Choir by John and was a member for 50 years.

She also enjoyed flower arranging, and served as both secretary and chairman of the Mildenhall Flower Club.