Family and friends pay tribute after shock sudden death of 26-year-old Preston woman

Jayne Lowry, an animal care assistant with the RSPCA in Preston, died suddenly just days after her 26th birthday.
Jayne Lowry (third from right) with her RSPCA friends and colleagues at the Preston & District Branch in Longridge Road. Pic: RSPCAJayne Lowry (third from right) with her RSPCA friends and colleagues at the Preston & District Branch in Longridge Road. Pic: RSPCA
Jayne Lowry (third from right) with her RSPCA friends and colleagues at the Preston & District Branch in Longridge Road. Pic: RSPCA

Her family said Jayne died in the early hours of Sunday morning (March 29) after feeling "off colour" following her birthday celebrations last week.

It had been reported in the national press that Jayne died after contracting coronavirus, but her family said she had tested negative for COVID-19.

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In a Facebook post confirming her daughter's death, mum Jackie Lowry said that Jayne had died of a suspected cardiac arrest.

"She unfortunately had a cardiac arrest late on Saturday night," said Mrs Lowry.

"She had been off colour for a couple of days but had no cough"

"The paramedics fought very hard to save her. We will be forever grateful for their efforts.

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"Why this devastating thing happened we will only have to wait and see. She will be forever in our hearts and sorely missed."

Today, her friends and colleagues at the RSPCA shelter in Preston said they were "devastated" by the death of the Myerscough College graduate.

"We are devastated to hear about the death of a member of our RSPCA family", said an RSPCA spokesman.

"Jayne Lowry, who was 26, was an animal care assistant at RSPCA Preston & District Branch where she had worked since July 2016.

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"She was much-loved by staff, who described her as kind, dedicated and passionate about animals.

"She sadly passed away suddenly on Sunday, March 29.

"It has been reported that the cause of Jayne’s death was, or may have been, Covid-19.

"However we understand from her family that Jayne died of cardiac arrest and tests for Covid-19 were found to be negative.

"We ask that the media respects the privacy of Jayne’s loved ones at this terrible time."

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Jayne's partner of almost eight years, Euan Murray, also paid tribute to the woman he described as "the most loving woman on the face of the planet".

In a moving tribute, Euan said he would "give anything" to hold her "once last time".

"In just over two weeks time, me and Jayne should be celebrating eight years together. Instead, we have all tragically lost the most loving woman on the face of the planet - funny and beautiful to boot", said Euan.

"Jayney, I am so grateful for the time we shared together, they have been the best years of my life. I wish more than anything that we could have had the future we planned together.

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"I’d give anything to hold you one last time, our socially distant walk round the park where we met all those years ago just wasn’t enough. I would have kept walking forever if I had known it was the last time that I’d see you.

"Every breath hurts, my heart is broken, I miss you so much already.

"Love you forever."

Friend and RSPCA colleague Lauren Calvert said she had been left 'heartbroken' by the sudden death of 'a beautiful woman' and 'amazing friend'.

"I wish the time we knew each other was longer, as there is so much that we talked about doing," said Lauren.

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"I will miss our chats about ballet and Great British Bake Off, but most of all I will miss seeing your smiley face every morning at work.

"Thank you for making my life so much better, we will all miss you so much. I love you."

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