Heartfelt tributes paid to inspirational Paulsgrove woman at funeral service

MOURNERS came together to pay tribute to an inspirational woman known for tirelessly working on behalf of others.
Stella Browne, who was known as Mrs PaulsgroveStella Browne, who was known as Mrs Paulsgrove
Stella Browne, who was known as Mrs Paulsgrove

More than 100 family and friends packed out St Mary’s Church, in Fratton, to celebrate the life of Stella Browne.

The 79-year-old, who died on August 15 following a short illness, spent decades helping charities and organisations and was instrumental in the planning of major local events, including the Paulsgrove carnival.

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As reported in The News, the hard-working mother-of-seven lived on the Paulsgrove estate for most of her life and was described as a ‘mother like no other’ by her son, Danny Browne.

One of the floral tributes at Stella Browne's funeralOne of the floral tributes at Stella Browne's funeral
One of the floral tributes at Stella Browne's funeral

People got the chance to pay tribute to Stella at her funeral service.

Former Paulsgrove councillor Jim Patey described her as a ‘special woman’ who would do anything for anyone.

Mr Patey said: ‘I knew Stella from the 1960s onwards through her charity work.

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‘She was a lovely person; nothing was too much trouble, she always wanted to help the community.

One of the floral tributes at Stella Browne's funeralOne of the floral tributes at Stella Browne's funeral
One of the floral tributes at Stella Browne's funeral

‘She loved fundraising, for any charity, and any event that cropped up and was on the schedule. She always wanted to be involved. She was active for a period of time in the local residents’ association.

‘She was involved in a number of things.’

Mr Patey added: ‘She was a really bubbly person.

‘My opening remarks at the service were that I will never forget the times I would see her in the Paulsgrove area, the way she would greet me with the brightest of smiles.

‘She was a very special person; not just to me and my family but to the community of Paulsgrove and Wymering.’

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Stella – described as ‘Mrs Paulsgrove’ by loved ones – 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 was also a great-great-grandmother.

Her family have thanked St Mary’s Church for an ‘amazing’ service.