Barbara Keeley Former Labour Member of Parliament for Worsley & Eccles South
MPs from across the parties and across the country have created a Memorial Quilt in memory of all those who lost their lives during the Covid-19 pandemic and to thank those who worked hard to keep us safe.
Each MP was invited to create one or more patchwork squares to represent the experience of them and their constituents during the pandemic. These squares have been connected together to create a patchwork quilt and Barbara was proud and moved to view the completed quilt which is being displayed in Parliament from this week.
Barbara created three squares which feature as part of the quilt, with help on the design from her constituent, Sue Campayne. Her squares pay tribute to key workers from across Worsley & Eccles South, including many who lost their lives during the pandemic. Barbara particularly wanted to remember two key workers who, sadly, died from Covid-19, Jane Rowbotham and Margaret Gunshorn.
Jane Rowbotham was the manager of Pemberton Fold Care Home and is greatly missed by her family and many colleagues in Salford.
Margaret Gunshorn was a Student Development Officer at Harrop Fold School (now The Lowry Academy) and worked there for seventeen years. She is loved and missed by her husband and family, and remembered fondly by all the students she helped over the years.
Barbara said:
“It was very moving to see the completed quilt and to know that it is being displayed in Parliament in memory of all those who gave so much during the Covid-19 pandemic. I am proud to have contributed to the project and to honour the memories of Jane Rowbotham and Margaret Gunshorn, as well as many other key workers in my constituency who lost their lives to Covid while working to keep us safe.”