Barrow library assistant Linda Johnson remembered at dinner

Linda Johnson (nee Elliott) husband Ken and daughters Rachael and Vicki paid tribute to her through a dinner put on at Abbey House Hotel with the support of other family and friends. Together, they raised £7,100 for two causes close to Linda's heart - Rosemere Cancer Foundation and Bay Hospitals Charity for the Oncology Unit at Furness General Hospital. 

Linda with her husband Ken (Image: Submitted)

Linda, who was also the manager of Barrow Island Library, died from breast cancer in March 2023. She was one of 16 children who were raised on Ramsden Street. 

The family picked Linda's favourite venue and colour scheme for the dinner - it was decorated in navy. There were 160 guests in attendance with each table named after one of Ken and Linda's favourite holiday destinations. Voce, a Barrow-based male quartet that Linda enjoyed, performed at the dinner and were joined on stage by her 16-year-old granddaughter Esmae Bloomer. 

Ken, third in from the left, celebrates wife Linda with family members (Image: Submitted)

Together they sang a medley of songs that Linda liked. One of the items on sale at a fundraising auction was a signed Cliff Richard album as Linda was a fan. 

Rachael and Vicki raising money for Rosemere (Image: Submitted)

Vicki said: “We wanted to organise something she would love herself and we wanted it to be a celebration of mum and the amazing person she was. She really was the true essence of courage, strength and absolute dignity.

Vicki with daughter Esmae who sang in tribute to Linda (Image: Submitted)

“She never once complained, and you never saw her not looking her best or without a smile on her face. I remember it was often her consoling others when she shared that she had been told there were no other treatment options available to her. She deserved to be celebrated and my family and I made it our mission to give her a fabulous celebration and one she would be proud of.”

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The dinner was sponsored by Evolution Power Tools.

Also in attendance was Suzanne Lofthouse, head of charity for Bay Hospitals Charity, and oncology nurses Julie Thorburn and Hayley Dixon, who had treated Linda and who were representing consultant oncologist Dr Sarah Moon and her oncology team.

Linda, Esmae, Corey, Georgia, Myla, Theo and Ken (Image: Submitted)

Rosemere Cancer Foundation brings treatments and services to patients throughout south Cumbria and Lancashire. The Rosemere Cancer Centre is Lancashire's specialist regional cancer treatment and radiotherapy centre at the Royal Preston Hospital, and one of the eight units across the two counties is at Furness General Hospital. 

The charity funds clinical research, staff training, services and equipment. 

Linda’s family is planning to hold another charity dinner at the same venue next year on March 22. Full details of the dinner will be released shortly with tickets available online via ‘Trybooking’ from September.