A much-loved former councillor from Salford has died in hospital after a short illness at the age of 70 on Easter Sunday (April 17). Described as kind, generous and a popular community figure, Janice Heywood, died after suffering from a heart attack during her time at Royal Lancaster Infirmary on Good Friday, much to the shock and sadness of her family and friends.
Born and bred in Salford, Mrs Heywood served as a Liberal Democrat councillor for Weaste and Seedley from 2004 until 2011 after being encouraged by her community to do so following the car parking issue at the hospital in the early 2000’s. After working as a pharmacy technician at Salford Royal and Hope Hospital, she was a passionate campaigner for health and any issues surrounding the hospital in Salford.
Because of her time as a councillor, she was very well known in the area and would struggle to walk through the streets without seeing someone she knew.
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“She was a very kind person and would do anything for anyone and put other people before herself,” Mr Heywood said. “She was sociable and generous.
“For that reason, it suited her down to the ground when she was elected as a councillor. She was a really personable community leader.
“Having been born and bred in Salford, she knew so many people. She was not a hugely political person but saw her role in the council as helping as many people as she could.
“She was a people activist really.”
Her life was much more than just being a councillor though, with much of her time being spent with her children Jamie and Gareth and her three grandchildren Matthew, Alex and Rebecca. If she wasn’t with the grandkids she was spending time with husband Eric on one of their numerous trips to Spain.
Residing in Pilling, Lancashire in her retirement from work and the council, Mr Heywood said they would do everything together.
“She loved spending time with the grandchildren,” he said. “They used to come around every Sunday without fail when we lived in Salford.
“She always said to Gareth that he should make sure she was not a grandmother too soon but once Matthew was born she was absolutely besotted. She didn’t want to be a granny too young but that all changed when they were born.
“We were a close couple having been married for nearly 45 years. There were mostly ups for us and over the last few years we pretty much did everything together, going to our place in Spain a lot.
“I have so many nice memories with her. We just felt so comfortable together.
“She will be missed as she did know so many people and was really well loved by her family and the community. Like us, people were shocked when they heard the news of her death, she will be so missed by everyone who knew her.”
Mr Heywood expressed his joy that the family managed to have such a joyous time on her birthday on April 2. This took place shortly before she was taken into hospital.
He believed this was birthday that ended up being a great send off for a woman who did so much for her family and community.
