Tributes paid to ‘inspirational’ Walsall woman with 'heart of gold'

Jane Hatfield, of Walsall Wood, described by friends in tributes as ‘inspirational’ due to her love of life and community, died suddenly in her home on Saturday night.

Jane was well known locally, having run the Walsall Wood community Facebook page ‘We Are The Wood, Up Road, Round Bend, Past n Present’, for over 2,000 vocal and engaged subscribers.

On the site, committed Baggies fan Jane was described as a ‘larger than life character’ with a ‘heart of gold’.

She recently set up her own community Facebook video channel, with a weekly broadcast from Aldridge with local friend Russell Smith, called ‘GogglyFaceBox’, which in a matter of weeks reached over 1,000 local homes, with a light-hearted look at local stories, plus some of Jane’s own poems.

Jane had battled with ill health and personal tragedy over the years, but used her own experiences to help others.

Another local social media contributor 'Brownhills Bob’ said of Jane: “Janey was the very soul of Walsall Wood.

“Whether meeting up with the old folks for their monthly get together at the Brickmakers Arms, finding old photos to post on Facebook, she did so much more to bring local history and community together than I have managed in a decade.”

A JustGiving site set up to help Jane’s son Sam pay for her funeral costs has already raised more than £2,000.

Organiser and family friend Jack Elliott said: “Jane did so much for people locally and the idea of the bows and the online donations were a way of giving back to her from the community she helped.”

Jane’s son, Sam, and her family expressed their thanks for the support.

Visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/samperry to donate