Family's emotional tribute to '˜pillar of Paulsgrove community'

The family of Stella Browne say the 79-year-old worked tirelessly to help charities and organisations and was instrumental in the planning of major local events.

The hard-working mother-of-seven died on August 15 after battling a short illness and loved ones say a large funeral service will take place at St Mary’s Church, in Fratton, Portsmouth, to celebrate her life and the impact she had on others.

Her son, Danny Browne, said she will be hugely missed by everyone.

He said: ‘Stella was a huge bundle of love and support and everyone from the Portsmouth area knew her.

‘She was a rock and gave her all for everyone she met.

‘She always put others before herself.

‘She was definitely known as the one and only lady in red and our very own dancing queen as she loved dancing.

‘She was just who she was; one in a million.’

Danny said Stella – who lived on the Paulsgrove estate for most of her life – was an ‘icon’ at the Royal British Legion club in Cosham.

And he said she was a ‘mother like no other’ supporting her family.

Danny said: ‘She even helped some of her children through difficult times they faced themselves.

‘She did so much for the family; she loved to sew and made most of her children’s brides and bridesmaids’ dresses. She loved her knitting and would never put her needles down.

‘And she loved making cakes for occasions such as weddings, birthdays and christenings.’

Stella also enjoyed getting stuck into challenges, including a crawl on her hands and knees from Paulsgrove to Southsea in a bid to raise money for good causes.

Stella, who was also a great-great-grandmother, served on the Paulsgrove and Wymering housing associations.

Danny said: ‘She was a major pillar of the Paulsgrove community, being involved in carnivals, even Southsea carnivals.

‘She had been unwell for a while and with her latest illness she fought with every breath she had, right up until the end when unfortunately she could not fight any longer.

‘But she is now pain-free and with other family up in heaven.

‘She will be sadly missed by everyone.’

Stella’s funeral takes place on Tuesday, September 6.