A true champion for disabled people in Croydon has died, aged 42.

Friends and family paid tribute to dedicated campaigner and talented artist Jeanette Wallace, who died on February 17 at Mayday Hospital after a major illness.

Over the past decade, Jeanette was Chair of Croydon Disability Forum (CDF) and a Director of Age Concern Croydon.

Mike McConnell, who worked with her at the CDF, said: “Her sole motivation in life had been to think, care and help others. She never once complained about her own situation.

“She was a true Champion for disabled people in the borough, attending many Partnership and Forum meetings.

"She was never the first to speak, always an excellent listener and then able to summarise and agree a consensus way forward."

Her funeral was held on March 4 and more than 200 of Jeanette’s family, friends and colleagues were present to celebrate her life.

As a teenager, Jeanette was selected to represent Surrey at athletics but she suffered from a progressive illness would have a major physical disability for the remainder of her short but immensely-significant life.

The courageous woman always thought of others, attending meetings only three hours after having chemotherapy treatment.

She was a highly gifted artist, painting with her mouth because she did not have the full use of her hands.

Her pictures were all sold at a reception after the funeral service.

Many gave tributes after a Eulogy from Mike McConnell.

Croydon Mayor, Councillor Margaret Mead, said: “Jeanette was always speaking up for others which I know they really appreciated.”

And Councillor Jane Avis added: “Jeanette’s death is a great personal loss to me and a huge loss to Croydon.”

Stuart Routledge, from Age Concern, said: “Despite the challenges she faced, she remained strong, diligent, and focused – always with a twinkle of dry humour in her eye.”

Mr McConnell added: “Jeanette was ahead of her time in Croydon, in setting out the foundations for our future caring society for disabled people. Can we rise to the challenges?”

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