Tribute to ‘caring’ nurse Jean Brewer after Penzance collision

She spent 34 years looking after other people’s children, building the kind of trust that takes a lifetime to earn. Now it is Jean Brewer’s own family paying tribute, after the 92-year-old retired nurse died following a collision in Penzance.

A collision on The Strand

Jean, who lived in Newlyn, was seriously injured when she was in collision with a black Audi Q4 on The Strand at around 11.40am on Wednesday 1 July. She was taken to hospital, where she died on 7 July.

An investigation into the collision is ongoing. Anyone with information or dash-cam footage that could help is asked to contact Devon and Cornwall Police or call 101, quoting reference number 50260169985.

34 years caring for Cornwall’s children

Jean Brewer, nee Jenkin, was born in Newlyn on 15 May 1934, the fifth of eight children. At 18 she began her nursing training at the Royal Cornwall Infirmary, before going on to study at Queen Mary’s Hospital for Children in Carshalton, where she completed her training looking after children with learning disabilities.

The majority of her career was spent at Saint Blazey House in St Austell, where she stayed until she retired, serving a total of 34 years. She was described as a most devoted, enthusiastic and caring person who pioneered a service at Saint Blazey House for children with behavioural difficulties, untiring in her work and in building relationships with children and their families.

‘Sadly missed by everyone’: the family tribute

Jean’s family said she had a very caring and close relationship with all of the children she looked after, and is fondly remembered by them. She was also close to her nephews and nieces, and had a particular love for animals, especially her collie dog, Rob.

Her family issued the following tribute: “Jean Brewer, nee Jenkin, date of birth 15th of May 1934. She was born in Newlyn, fifth child of a family of eight.

“At 18 she did her nursing training at Royal Cornwall Infirmary. She then went on to study at Queen Mary’s Hospital for Children in Carshalton and she completed her training looking after children with learning disabilities.

“The majority of her career was spent working at Saint Blazey House in St Austell until she retired. She served a total of 34 years at Saint Blazey House. She was quoted as being a most devoted, enthusiastic and caring person who has pioneered a service at Saint Blazey House for children with behavioural difficulties.

“Jean has been untiring in this work and in building relationships with children and families. Jean had a very caring and close relationship with all of the children she cared for and is very fondly remembered.

“She was very much loved by all her nephews and nieces, she had a love for animals, especially her collie dog ‘Rob’.

“She was loved by all her family and will be sadly missed by everyone that had the fortune to have known her.”

Jean’s family have chosen to share this photo of her from her nursing days. Anyone with information about the collision is asked to contact police quoting reference number 50260169985.