Last Friday night 9th October, a lovely, kind hearted Kirkby lady collapsed at her home and died.

Her name was Eileen Rowe and she was well known in Northwood for her generosity of spirit, her neighbourliness and her concern for everyone but herself. - Even though she wasn't in good health herself.

Eileen will be particularly fondly remembered in her local, THE PEACOCK in Quarry Green, where she would often take a massive plate of sandwiches and give them out free to all the customers - some of whom lived alone and couldn't really be bothered cooking a meal for themselves.

Eileen was only a customer. But with her kindness and concern for others less fortunate, she put others like the pub management to shame. She also put the so-called highly-paid professional "carers" to shame, like councillors and social workers who clock-watch, and view their "Clients" as mere meal-tickets. Compassion and love of ones fellow-man (or woman) is not a 9 to 5 activity. Eileen knew that. She was always there to help 24-7.

Eileens funeral is next Monday at St Maries in Bigdale Drive. I truly hope all the Kirkby community turn out to say a final farewell to one of Kirkby's greatest humanitarians.