Tribute to Council worker, Ruth

A popular member of Blackburn with Darwen Council’s Public Health team sadly passed away just before Christmas.

Ruth Young joined the Council in April 2013 as Public Health Research and Development Manager. Her role involved the design, implementation, evaluation and dissemination of ‘real world’ public health research, both through her own work and advice and support to colleagues and partners in Blackburn with Darwen, Pennine Lancashire, the North West and beyond.

Ruth had a short and very brave fight with cancer and passed away surrounded by family and friends at Trinity Hospice in Blackpool, in the early hours of Saturday morning (22 December).

She is survived by her eight year old son Daniel and her mother.

Graduating from Manchester University and then the University of Liverpool, where she was awarded a PhD in Geography, Ruth had a distinguished career working in Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds and London and published several academic papers.

Ruth’s key successes in Blackburn with Darwen included developing and supporting the delivery of a number of PhD Research projects on key local health issues, including dementia in the South Asian community and prevention of obesity in pre-school children.

Outside of work she enjoyed spending quality time with Daniel including going out for day trips, visiting friends, going to the beach and taking photographs. Ruth once said that if she was to choose any other career, it would be as a photographer.

Dominic Harrison, Director of Public Health, paid tribute. He said:

Ruth worked with distinction with us for almost seven years during which time she proved a popular and highly skilled member of the team. This is a terrible shock and we are all grieving the loss. We will remember Ruth as a fantastic person and committed public servant with a passion for social sciences. She was a friend and colleague to many here and will be dearly missed.

Ruth’s funeral will be held on Monday 14 January at 12.30pm at Lytham Crematorium and then afterwards at Fylde Rugby Club. Close colleagues from the public health team will be in attendance.

Donations can be made to Cancer Research UK in Ruth’s name. Send a cheque payable to ‘Cancer Research UK’ with a covering letter mentioning Ruth to: Lytham Funeral Service Ltd, 42 Clifton Street, Lytham, FY8 5EW.