A devastated family and colleagues have paid tribute to a well known local nurse who died unexpectedly.
Joanne Newton, 49, passed away last month after collapsing at her Pinchbeck home.
She was given first aid by her daughter Holly and crews from two air ambulances rushed to the scene, but they were unable to revive her.
It was later found that she suffered a pulmonary embolism, a blockage of a blood vessel in the lungs.
She leaves behind Holly 19, Ellis, 21 and Lucy, 14, as well as her partner Wayne.
Joanne’s death was so unexpected that no arrangements had been made for a funeral, so her sister Kelly Ingram set up a Go Fund Me page to raise money.
It had already received over £5,000 donations at the time of going to press.
“Jo was amazing, just a lovely person,” said Kelly. “She was always there for me and always put other people first.
“She hadn’t had the best of times recently as she struggled with long covid, but even then, she always still had a smile on her face and was cracking jokes. She was very humorous and sociable.
“Her relationship, particularly with her daughters, were like best friends, they’d go out together and everything.
“Christmas was her favourite time of the year when she was like a kid, and it’s not going to be the same this year.
“Last year she insisted on having a really big family Christmas and I’m so pleased we did that.
“I’m sure we’ll try and keep the traditions she made alive.”
Kelly also said Joanne had ‘a beautiful voice’ and was a member of the Spalding Ukelele Orchestra.
She also said nursing was a calling for her sister.
“She went on work experience to a nursing home and loved it so much a career in that was the only thing she wanted to do,” Kelly said.
Joanne worked at care homes, Munro Medical Centre, as a community nurse in Spalding and for the St Barnabas charity in the town.
For the last 10 years she had worked at Beechfield Medical Centre where a book of condolences had been opened for her.
It was due to close this afternoon (Thursday, July 25) to let staff attend her funeral.
“It’s as a mark of respect to Joanne and to let staff say their last goodbyes,” Beechfield practice manager Melissa Lawson, said: “We have felt this loss very deeply.
“We are still coming to terms with the news and are also supporting our patients who have grown to know and love Jo as much as we have over the years.”
The Go Fund Me page is available at www.gofundme.com/f/Joannes-go-fund-me
