Ale festival organiser dies following illness

A WELL-known ale festival organiser, former nurse and hospice volunteer has died following a short illness.

Janet Burns (67) was a familiar face at the Rotherham Real Ale and Music Festival and its prestigious Champion Beer of Yorkshire contest, held each year since 2011 at Magna in Templeborough.

Mrs Burns, wife of Rotherham CAMRA chairman Dr Stephen Burns, died on Saturday afternoon, surrounded by her family.

Dr Burns said: “Janet was an advanced nurse practitioner in Maltby for nearly 20 years.

"When she retired, she volunteered in the Rotherham Hospice shop.

“She was volunteer co-ordinator at the beer festival for five years, helping us to raise over £100,000 for charity.

“But more importantly, she was a mother of three and grandmother of two.”

Stephen and Janet’s son Steve (34) — a keen home brewer, footballer and dad-of-two — died in July 2016, after battling motor neurone disease.

Their other son Stuart posted an emotional tribute to his mum on Facebook this week.

On Sunday he said: “After a short illness, my mum sadly passed away yesterday afternoon.

“She was surrounded by her family and was never in any pain.”

He added: “She has never fully recovered since losing her son Stephen and her dad Tom 14 months apart.

“Our family takes comfort in the fact that she is now at peace with them.”

Janet’s funeral is due to take place from 4.30pm today (Thursday) at Rotherham Crematorium, followed by a reception at Sitwell Park Golf Club.

Anyone who knew her is invited to attend. The family ask anyone thinking of sending flowers to make a donation to Rotherham Cancer Care Centre instead.