Obituary: Tina Britton – former manager of Lymington care home was dedicated to her residents

THE former manager of a care home in Lymington has died aged 48, just 11 months after being diagnosed with a brain tumour.

Tina Britton, who worked at Solent Mead Care Home, spent the last six weeks of her life being looked after at Oakhaven Hospice.

In a statement her family said: “Tina is a much loved daughter, sister, aunty, god-daughter, sister-in-law, cousin and friend. Her loss has left a huge gap in all our lives. She is sadly missed and will never be forgotten.”

Tina had a tricky start in life after being born four weeks early at the Princess Anne Hospital in Southampton and spent her first weeks in an incubator.

But she soon thrived and returned home to Holbury with parents Brian and Jan and older brother Mark.

She attended Holbury infant and junior schools before moving on to Hardley School. The first sign of her caring nature and future career came when she did her work experience at Ashlett Dale Care Home in Fawley.

She later became employed there, working part-time at weekends while she was still at school, then joining them full-time after she left aged 16. Tina remained there for several years and helped to establish the company’s meals on wheels service.

Tina later did agency work for a while before starting as a carer at Cranleigh Paddock Care Home in Lyndhurst, where she worked her way up to be deputy manager.

She then did several stints as a temporary manager at various Hampshire County Council-run care homes before being promoted to manager of Cherry Orchard Care Home in Andover and then to Solent Mead in Lymington.

Tina was a hands-on manager, who organised lots of fundraising events and could always be found with the residents on Christmas morning. Even as the effects of her illness began to take their toll, Tina was always concerned her residents were being properly looked after.

Tina never married or had children of her own but she doted on her two nieces and nephew. She also loved animals and had her own dog, Clay, who quickly became a huge part of her life, even going to work with her.

Tina enjoyed socialising with friends, crafts, and going to holiday. Among the destinations she visited were New York, France, Tenerife, Egypt and Menorca but Tina’s favourite place was Swanage in Dorset.

She would often send a message to family on a Saturday morning saying: “Guess where we are?” followed by a picture of her nieces or friends eating a huge chocolate eclair in her favourite bakery. She loved the shops, the fish and chips and walks along the pier.

Following her diagnosis Tina moved in with family in Blackfield. Being cared for didn’t come naturally to Tina and even on her most difficult days she was more concerned with the impact of her illness on everyone else.

She died on 29th January. A private family funeral will be held due to Covid-19. Donations in Tina’s memory can be made online at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/tinabritton