Tributes to Whitchurch pensioner killed in car crash

Jean Partridge, 71, of Whitchurch, was killed in a head-on car crash in Cumbria on her way to see her son on Friday night.

A statement from Mrs Partridge's family said she will be greatly missed by both family and friends.

In a statement her family said: "She was one of life's givers. Always putting others' feelings and needs before her own, even at her own darkest moments.

"Jean was affectionately known by her friends as 'the pocket rocket' and danced through her life with a positive attitude and the broadest smile.

"Her passion for sport went hand in hand with her pride for the country she lived in, relishing in all the pomp and circumstance that comes with our country's heritage.

"From the Olympics to tiddlywinks, if there was an England shirt in play she threw her full volume heartfelt support from either the pool or track side, or at the television.

"Her true love was her family. She leaves behind two brothers, David and Peter, and their families that she adored, her children and her beloved grandchildren, and in her wake an enormous hole in theirs and her friends' lives."

Mrs Partridge, a retired teaching assistant, had been on her way to spend the weekend with her son, just north of Richmond in North Yorkshire, when the crash happened.

Officers from Cumbria police said she was driving a purple Ford Fusion on the A683 from Tebay towards Kirkby Stephen.

"It collided head-on with a silver Nissan Navara travelling in the opposite direction," a Cumbria police spokesman said.

Mrs Partridge died at the scene.

The driver of the other car, a 41-year-old man from Cumbria, was taken to Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle with minor injuries.

Originally from Droitwich Spa, in Worcestershire, Mrs Partridge had lived on Beech Avenue in Whitchurch for many years.

He next door neighbour of 12 years, Andrew Furbur, 47, said: "We used to call her the 'pocket rocket'.

"She was a lovely woman and was always laughing. She was super fit for a 71-year-old and could run rings around most of us.

"She would always be in the garden and was always friendly when you spoke to her.

"She also watched a lot of the houses when people were away on holiday and things like that.

"For everyone who knew her here it has been a big blow, it really has been a total shock."

Mayor of Whitchurch, Councillor Rob Hewson, said Mrs Partridge was well respected in the area and would be a sad loss.