A beloved great-grandmother best known for being a passionate healthcare campaigner has died after contracting coronavirus.

Jenny Chittenden, from Faversham, was a keen supporter of the Kent and Canterbury Hospital, having been elected a governor of the East Kent Hospitals Trust three years ago.

The caring 71-year-old also volunteered on the city infirmary's children's ward.

The mum-of-three died on Monday, at the QEQM Hospital in Margate, from Covid-19 pneumonia with her family at her side.

Son Matthew said: “When mum was passionate about something, there was no stopping her.

"Although she suffered from anxiety, she could still stand in front a packed hall and address hundreds of people.

“She fought for what she thought was right and supported us on any path we wanted to take.

"She was the strongest woman we have ever known.”

Jenny trained as a nurse at the K&C in 1968, before turning her attention to raising her children.

During this time, she worked as a school welfare assistant at The Westlands School and as an exam invigilator at Borden Grammar School, Sittingbourne.

From 2000 to 2015 she worked with husband Mike to lead regular events for the White Cliffs Countryside Partnership, which inspired youngsters to learn about nature through activities such as pond dipping and woodland walks.

Her CV also included working with the MoD on conservation projects in Canterbury and running a community fishing club for four years.

"She fought for what she thought was right and supported us on any path we wanted to take..."

Professor Stephen Smith, who sat on East Kent Hospitals Trust's council governors alongside Jenny, says she will be sorely missed.

“She was an active and passionate member on our Council of Governors and brought with her years of experience and skills," he said.

“She was a very determined advocate for all patients and worked hard for her constituents in her role as governor.”

Jenny also held roles as a Faversham town councillor, primary school governor and organiser of the Faversham Hop Festival between 1996 and 1998.

Matthew says his mother was regarded as a "tower of strength" by loved ones.

He added: "The staff who cared for mum on Fordwich Ward are worth their weight in gold.

"We will be eternally grateful for the way they spent time with her and cared for her.”

Jenny married her partner of 27 years, Mike Chittenden, in 2018.

She is survived by six grandchildren and one great grandchild.

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