Heartbroken family of Janet Robe say final goodbye to 'beautiful soul' who lost battle with Covid aged 52

The beloved 52-year-old tragically died at South Tyneside District Hospital with her family by her side on January 22 after a short battle with coronavirus.

Loved ones have said their final goodbye to the devoted mum-of-two in a small ceremony, due to the current lockdown restrictions, at South Shields Crematorium on Saturday, February 6.

Pastor of Living Waters Church, Dave Schofield, who led the service, said: “Janet was the perfect wife and mother. Always working hard to give her family the best in life but never forgetting the best gift she could give was her love, which she gave unconditionally.

Related article: Outpouring of love for South Shields mam Janet Robe who lost battle with Covid aged just 52

"Janet was a family woman and the glue that held them together - organising family holidays and events.

“She was always the first to get the family to make up if they ever had a fallout, a true head of the family and a true mother to them all.

"She always was slow to anger with a heart as deep as the ocean and always there to listen, help and give advise.”

Loved ones held Janet in their thoughts as they listened to Westlife’s I’ll see you again, Lauren Daigle’s Look up Child, and Because you loved me by Celine Dion.

Janet grew up on the Deans/Woodbine estate with her sisters Catherine, Miriam, and brothers Norman and Monaf and met husband Kenny, 55, in the West Park in August 1983, where they made many happy memories.

The couple were married in September 1986.

After the birth of their two children, Brandon, 34, and Sam, 30, the family moved to Whiteleas, where they lived for the past 30 years.

As well as helping people through her job as a tenant liaison officer for South Tyneside Council, Janet was also well-known for her charitable work.

Later in life she became a foster carer and looked after children until she sadly passed away.

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In March 2020, Janet was baptised at Living Waters Church.

Pastor Schofield added: “Janet’s faith became a fundamental part of her life and influenced her in many ways and, if it was even possible, made her even more loving, thoughtful and selfless.

“She was a loving nana who doted on her grandson Marley and helped Brandon to raise him - making him the beautiful little boy he is today. Always happy, which is a reflection of the abundance of unconditional love given to him by his nana Janet.

"Always there for others with warm words of wisdom and even warmer cuddles. Janet was an amazing wife, mother, nana, sister and aunty - loved by all that had the privilege to meet her.

“This beautiful soul, a true angel walking the earth.

“Janet is a true inspiration to all that knew her and was a shining example of what a human being should be. Love like Janet’s is irreplaceable and rare, it’s a devastating loss of the love she gave.”

A Go Fund Me page set up to support the family, who have also been hit hard financially following their tragic loss, has raised more than £4,000 so far.

To donate visit: https://gofund.me/64183fad

A poem by children Brandon and Sam was also read out during the ceremony:

"We had a wonderful mother,

Who never really grew old;

Her smile was made of sunshine,

Her heart was made of gold.

Her eyes were as bright as shining stars;

And her cheeks fair roses you see.

We had a wonderful mother,

And that’s the way it’ll always be.

“She was taken far too soon from us,

We never would have knew,

Our perfect wonderful mother;

Would be gone at 52.

“Our perfect beautiful mother,

Keeps an eye on us all down here.

And when I look up to the sky’s,

I’ll always feel her near.

“Our very own Angel now

She’ll always watch from above,

Never will she leave us now,

She will always protect us and send unconditional love.”

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