Jean Crowthe RIP

Jean Crowther, who has just died aged 64 after her long battle with cancer, started her florist business at Hyde Park Corner when she was 16. She grew up in Roundhay where she remained throughout her life but she could not have imagined that her early interest in plants, which brought her prizes at the Leeds’ flower show by her mid teens, would lead to 48 years successfully running a business from one of the longest surviving and, arguably, most iconic shops in the area. Most people local to the community have passed through her shop at some time, which has sometimes been described as an institution with an enviable reputation. That reputation didn’t happen by chance, half a century of hard work helped create that and even close friends weren’t fully aware of how much time Jean applied to the business outside the hours spent in the shop. Her artistic designs have decorated so many local and private events it will seem difficult to imagine the shop in her absence. Jean was diagnosed with cancer 20 years ago but a life spent slowly retiring was far removed from where her passions lay - there were her customers, her business and the community to focus on; Ballet and the Opera; Jean was very much a person determined to get busy living who admitted that living so long with cancer was perhaps unexpected but no less rewarding. But she did chose to keep her life very private and would happily sit to the late hours in her friend’s garden, as she did on her recent birthday, knowing she was ill, but keeping that very much to herself. That courageous attitude towards her cancer is something Jean will be respected for, but no less so will she be remembered for her charm and loyalty and her optimism for life. It is no surprise that people have wondered why her shop has been closed for a week or so. You took the open door for granted, Jean was always there. Jean Crowther will be remembered and very much missed. Her flower shop was already a flower shop before she took it over in 1965, and this will seem like the passing of a great era; a part of local history for which many have been very grateful. The community will certainly miss her conversations in Dagmar Wood after many local social events, her almost unequalled knowledge of plants, and that great joy of the world and the community. She brought happiness to many, many people and to those that knew her, she is truly irreplaceable. Jean Crowther 1945 – 2009 If people that knew Jean wish to leave flowers, Marco at the barber’s shop [almost] next door will be happy to put them in the window of Jean’s shop. It seems very fitting for a floral tribute to her, in the usually brightly coloured window of her shop.

Last Updated on Thursday, 16 July 2009 15:37