Hospital plans tribute to ‘warm and bubbly’ Sheffield NHS worker after Covid-19 death

Jenny Stone, aged 60, passed away at the hospital on February 6, having worked in the facilities team there for 29 years before leaving in May 2020 to join Sheffield Teaching Hospitals as their facilities learning and development facilitator.

She is survived by her three children - James, Lorna and Jake - as well as her one year-old grandson, Bobby, and siblings David, Paul and Sue.

Chesterfield Royal Hospital said it was Jenny’s wish to ‘visit us one last time’.

The funeral procession will pass through the hospital grounds at around 9am to allow staff to say their final farewells ahead of the service, which is restricted to a limited number of guests.

A spokesperson added: “The flag outside the Main Entrance will be flown at half-mast in tribute to a lady who was not just our colleague, but our friend.

"It will mean a lot to staff to be able to pay this tribute as we cannot attend the funeral due to COVID number restrictions.”

Jenny requested mourners donate to the Chesterfield Royal Charity instead of buying flowers and her family have set up a fundraising page online.

A post on the website read: “There are no words that can be said to describe how much Jenny will be missed. She was loved by so many.

"She had the kindest soul and the brightest personality. A truly irreplaceable Mum, Nana, colleague and friend. A truly amazing person.”

A hospital spokesperson said: “It is fitting that Jenny’s legacy to a place that she loved will be something which contributes to the ongoing support of staff and patients.”

At the time of Jenny’s death, Chesterfield Royal Hospital chief executive Angie Smithson said: “She truly was a warm genuine person with a bubbly and positive personality. She would always have time for a chat, to check if you were OK and she was always smiling.

"She always worked incredibly hard and made a real difference.Her commitment to the NHS was outstanding”.

Patients visiting the hospital on Thursday have been warned to expect slower traffic around the site and more people than usual, who will be socially distanced.