Mystery virus kills Barnoldswick postwoman

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A MYSTERY virus has claimed the life of a popular 50-year-old Barnoldswick postwoman.
Janet Nixon died in the early hours of New Year's Day at Airedale General Hospital – two months after the illness struck.

It began with problems with her hands, initially thought to be arthritis-related, but spread throughout her body.

This week, her family praised the efforts of medics at the Intensive Care Unit and said consultants had tried all kinds of treatment, but had been unable to identify the virus that led to her death.

They thanked family, friends and neighbours for their support.

A life-long Barlicker, Janet attended St Joseph's School and Fisher-More High School.

After leaving school she got a job in the office at Dermide Ltd, but trained as a sewing machinist, working at Kirdrays Ltd and Albert Hartley Textiles.

Made redundant 11 years ago, she became a postwoman and a popular figure with householders on her round in the Coates Lane area.

She and her partner, Raymond Clarke, had been together for 15 years, and he and Janet's parents, Gus and Jenny Nixon, told of her love of the outdoors, Janet enjoying camping and caravan holidays as well as walking in the Yorkshire Dales.

An animal lover, she would regularly bring stray dogs and cats home she found wandering on her round.

Janet was also a keen ballroom dancer, helping at the Wednesday dances at Barnoldswick Civic Centre as well as attending classes in Padiham.

Fr Simon Winn will officiate at her funeral on Tuesday, a requiem Mass at 1 p.m. at St Joseph's Church, followed by burial in Ghyll Cemetery. Janet's body will be taken into church the previous evening at 5 p.m.

Family flowers only have been requested, with donations made in lieu of flowers to the intensive care unit at Airedale General Hospital.