Care home staff devastated at fire death

Jan 29 2008 by Katie Norman, South Wales Echo

A CARE home worker was just months away from receiving a long service award when she was killed in a fire.

Jane Taylor, 47, died after flames ripped through her home in Western Drive, Gabalfa, on Sunday evening.

Carol Griffiths, Jane’s boss at Cathedral View care home, in Gabalfa, said Jane was a particularly dedicated and popular staff member, who would have been entitled to an award for 25 years of service in June.

She said: “Jane was a long-standing and valued member of staff.

“Both our staff members and residents are devastated. It’s such a tragic loss.”

She praised Jane’s commitment, innovation, knowledge of her job, and exceptional understanding of residents’ needs.

She said: “Jane had such a lot to give to the residents. She’s going to be very badly missed.

“She was very popular both inside Cathedral View and outside in the community.

“If there was anything going on in the community, Jane was sure to be a part of it. And if we were thinking of new ideas for activities for residents, she would always be chipping in.

“At Christmas all the staff dressed up in fancy dress and Jane was right in the middle of it all.

“We’re a close-knit team and the friends she has here are people she has known for many years.

“We’re all just devastated.”

Jane and her husband Brian are both dedicated members of Gabalfa Community Social Club. Club chairman Paul Cartwright said he and fellow members were devastated by the tragedy.

He said: “It goes without saying, but all our members and the whole community are devastated by the tragic loss of Jane, not just for her family and of course Brian, but for everyone who knew her.

“She was such a very special person in so many ways.”

Firefighters and police were yesterday investigating the cause of the house fire.

There are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the blaze.

katie.norman@mediawales.co.uk