Tributes to former Sheffield Star receptionist who died, aged 59

Jackie Capper, from Stannington, tragically died last Friday after a long battle with cancer at the age of 59.

Jackie worked for The Star for 19 years, first on reception and then in advertising, and was a well-known face to everyone who worked at or visited the paper’s former York Street offices.

When the paper moved to new offices at The Balance on Pinfold Street, she moved into notices, working on births, marriages and deaths for newspapers across the country.

Jackie’s daughter Hollie, aged 38, said dozens of well-wishers had contacted the family since her mum’s death.

She said: “Mum had loads of friends and we have had so many messages saying how lovely and kind she was.

“We have even had a card from a funeral director in Sunderland who never even met her which is really nice.”

Hollie said her mum loved music, especially rock bands like AC/DC, Bon Jovi, Guns and Roses and Aerosmith, but also more ‘girly’ things like having her nails done and shopping.

She added that the way her mum had fought since being diagnosed in November 2017 - continually proving the medics wrong and carrying on as if nothing was wrong - had made her really proud.

She said: “She had a dreadful time over the past few years. Everything that could have happened to her did so but she never gave up.

“She was paralysed for six months and told she would never walk again but did and even drove.

“Even at the end when she was really poorly she was asking for more treatment.”

As well as Hollie, Jackie leaves her partner Patrick and grandchildren Archer and Arla.

Her funeral will take place at Stannington Christ Church on Tuesday, March 24. All are welcome.

At The Star, Jackie’s colleagues will remember her by holding an ‘animal print day’ on Tuesday, March 10, followed by a bake sale and clear your clutter day on Tuesday, March 24.

All the money raised on both days will go to St Lukes Hospice.