Tributes flow for beloved Warwick icon Jenney Harrington
The passing of community icon Jenney Harrington has left the Southern Downs heartbroken and mourning a great loss, as tributes flow in her honour.
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The heartbreaking announcement of a Warwick icon’s passing has left an adoring community devastated.
Remembered for her love of ballet, precious collections and selfless efforts to raise money for charity, Jenney Harrington was known far beyond the Southern Downs.
Ms Harrington, an orphan originally from Cairns, made the Rose City her home more than 70 years ago. Sadly she passed away in aged care facility Akooramak on July 15.
Friend and long time carer Vince Hemmings continued to stand by Ms Harrington’s side, remembering how their bond began after he offered to help cart her collectables home 20 years ago.
“Every Saturday at 8.30am I’d pick her up and take her around to the local pubs so she could collect their empty tins,” he said.
“She loved pretty things and collecting her cans, she could carry two tonne of cans on her push bike.
“Everyone knew Jenney and she knew everybody.”
Mr Hemmings said his late friend was a kind soul who had a hard life and he hoped she was happy up in heaven.
Southern Downs deputy mayor Sheryl Windle said Ms Harrington would “be fondly remembered for her love of community and the valuable work she did to raise funds for charity”.
Ms Harrington’s health began deteriorating more than a decade ago before she became a resident at aged care facility Akooramak in 2016.
Clinical nurse and Southern Downs local Daryal Simpson remembered as a child seeing Ms Harrington and her two tonne of cans riding around town.
“I always found her to be a very pleasant shy lady who later in life when she could no longer ride her bike, always appreciated a lift around town,” Daryal said.
Collecting cans became a source of income and hobby for Ms Harrington after her husband Frank passed away.
The staff at Akooramak Care made sure Ms Harrington felt like part of the family during her time in their care, sending her favourite foods to the top of the grocery list each week.
In a statement, the facility said Ms Harrington was greatly missed by all.
“Life wasn’t always kind to Jenney, but she was always kind to others,” the statement said.
“She was a shining example of not judging a book by its cover, she loved fine china and ballet.
“Her face would light up when she was watching the ballet, she loved them all (and) you knew she was dancing right along with them.”
The name Jenney Harrington is one undoubtedly forever embedded in the Southern Downs community.
Ms Harrington’s funeral will be held at the Warwick Funerals Chapel, service commencing at 11.30am on July 25.
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Originally published as Tributes flow for beloved Warwick icon Jenney Harrington
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