Tributes to Jennifer Preston

Jennifer Preston 1933-2022 Tributes received by SUDEP Action

Jennifer was a true pioneer in a world that held hard to a myth that epilepsy was benign for so long. She used great clarity, tenacity and charm to help change that locally and globally. The world was made better by having Jennifer in it. It has been such a great privilege to have known and worked with her over a lifetime.  I have sent out heartfelt condolences today to Jennifer’s daughters Eleanor and Katie and son Matthew and to all the family. Many thousands of families and communities affected by epilepsy have been helped by their mum.

Jane Hanna OBE

Over the years Jennifer became a true friend, full of generosity and always good company, always interesting and interested. I miss her.

Professor Stephen Brown 

Her hard work and dedication helped Epilepsy Bereaved become the success SUDEP Action is today. 

Catherine & Chris Brookes  

She always played a major part within the charity and she will be greatly missed. 

Sheila Pring 

As a founder member I have many fond memories of Jennifer over the years.She worked tirelessly with Epilepsy and the Young Adult, Epilepsy Bereaved and SUDEP Action to raise awareness of Sudden Death in Epilepsy in memory of her son William. Jennifer has left a lasting legacy and her memory will live on in all who knew her. Special thoughts are with the family at this sad and difficult time.

Sue & Ray

No-one wants to lose a child from any cause and no-one wants, as a result, to join a 'membership club' such as Epilepsy Bereaved, for those finding themselves in that position. However, having no choice in the matter, myself and my wife, Claire, found tremendous support and comfort early in the aftermath of the death of our 15-year-old daughter, Lucy. Jennifer was one of the people whom we met soon after our bereavement and she provided her warm and compassionate help to us at the many meetings that we attended. Later, after I had been asked to become a trustee, I had the chance to see her in action at our committee meetings and got to know her better. This was all only a few years after the charity had been started. It was obvious that her knowledge of the risks of epilepsy and her dedication to reducing that risk and raising awareness were second to none. She was always a very wise and sound presence within the charity, with so much experience and she contributed so much towards its growth and development to what it is now. We send our sincere condolences to Jennifer's family and send our great thanks for the help that she gave us.

Mark & Claire Phillips 

I was saddened to hear of the passing of Jennifer Preston. I'm thankful for all Jennifer did and said to raise the profile, awareness and contributing to prevention and greater understanding of SUDEP.

 I witnessed a trailblazer in Jennifer as l attended the meetings over the last 16yrs, as another bereaved mother ,who admired the example of the pioneers who worked tirelessly. My condolences to all Jennifer's family and friends. A sad loss for all. 

Sandra Sandland (Liverpool)   

I wish to express my sadness at hearing of Jennifer Preston's passing. When my wife Sandie and I lost our youngest daughter Becky to SUDEP in 2004 and quickly became involved with the charity (then called Epilepsy Bereaved of course), one of the first people we met after Jane, was Jennifer. We understood that she was one of that highly respected group of ladies, the 'founders'. She was always so kind and welcoming to us as new members of the SUDEP fold and, for me personally, was a very friendly face (as indeed were all) when I was 'elected' onto the Board of Trustees in 2010. Always asking about my family, always keen to hear about fundraising activities and always, in my humble opinion, being a voice of calmness and rationality within the Board. Jennifer, you are a great loss to your family and to the Epilepsy & SUDEP community.

Roger Scrivens  

I never had the opportunity to meet Jennifer but feel the founders’ legacy and impact in all the work we do. My thoughts are with all those who knew, and were close to, Jennifer.

Ben

I know Jennifer was an amazing campaigner for SUDEP Action from the beginning. Your tribute to her is lovely. 

Sending best wishes to her family and friends. 

Alex Stirling


Very sad. I didn’t know her, but can feel her spirit through Jane’s excellent tribute

Judy Shakespeare

 

To turn personal pain into love, hope and kindness is a strength that not all possess. Jennifer was one of those remarkable and inspirational individuals who used her grief as an asset to become a catalyst for positive change. Her legacy of revolution, compassion and support will be ongoing. Thank you Jennifer.       

Katie Gregory

I am so very sorry to hear that Ms. Preston has died. Sending deepest condolences to her family and everyone who loves and misses her.

Lance Fogan (Twitter)

 

Oh gosh. So very, very sorry to hear this news. She was a very impressive lady indeed, very glad to have met her. Lots of love to the SUDEP Action team, supporters and all who knew her.

Michellee Johnson (Linkedin)

Rest in peace Jennifer – your family should be proud knowing that you have made such an impact in so many lives wrt SUDEP. Our angels will comfort you now.

Barrie Burns (Linkedin)

Healing prayers.

Caz Clairvoyant (Instagram)



Beautiful tribute to an amazing woman, through her grief for her son she made an easier path through my grief for my daughter.

Gillain Gailey  (Instagram)



Such sad news. Jenifer was an incredible lady and I very much enjoyed her company. She will be missed by so many.

Sandie Scrivens (Facebook)



So sorry to read this sad news. May Jennifer always be proud I hope of the amazing legacy she & Jane & the other ladies establishing SUDEP Action. She will be remembered fondly.

Jack Megson (Facebook)

My sympathy to family and friends of Jennifer. I had the privilege of working with her for many years and she was so very supportive to me and the support service as a whole. I will remember her fondly x

Karen Oates (Facebook)



Such sad news. Jennifer was such a support to so many. A lovely lady. Our sympathy to all Jennifer's family and friends. X

Liz Hollingdale  (Facebook)

We are so sorry to hear the sad passing of your mum who we were lucky to meet many years ago sending u all love

Sue Haher (Facebook)

You will have so many angels with you! Rest in Peace Jennifer, thank you for all of your hard work and support

Baz Burns (Facebook)

 

Deepest sympathy to u all on the sad passing of your mam may she rest in peace

Theresa Nolan (Facebook)


So sorry to hear of your Mum's passing, an incredible woman x

Julie Martin (Facebook)
 

Sending heartfelt condolence...SUDEP Action have helped us through the worst time of our lives, losing our beautiful boy Ben in 2017. God Bless you. RIP lovely lady. xxx

Melanie Heap (Facebook)
 

So sorry for your loss x sudep action are brilliant I lost my son to sudep in 2015x condolences to you and your family xx

Nicky Pagett (Facebook)
 

I’m ever so sorry to read this ...what an incredible Lady... Thank you for all you have helped and cared for xxxxx RIP

Arabella Scanlan (Facebook)
 

Lovely lady met her a few times condolences to all families xx

Patricia Fitzgibbon (Facebook)
 

I’m so very Sorry!

Jeanie Razzini Colberg (Facebook)
 

So sorry for your loss

Janet Macphee (Facebook)

 

Sorry for your loss

Amanda Aylwin (Facebook)
 

Oh no!!! I met Jennifer once or twice in the early days after Kayleigh died!

Condolences to her family & friends x

Theresa Smith (Facebook)
 

I'm so sorry for the loss of your mom Sudep Action has helped me so much since my son passed away 20 months ago you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers 

Jennifer Jones
 

Such a lovely lady. Sending heartfelt thoughts to her family x

April Weaver (Facebook)

 

Fly high and shine bright always Jennifer, and thank you for helping so many families  xx

Jannie Burns (Facebook)
 

A sad loss for all who knew her but what a legacy she leaves behind in SUDEP Action. Thank you, Jennifer.

Rachel Sumaria (Facebook)

My sincere condolences, she was an amazing woman 

Pamela Dandy (Facebook)

Sorry for your loss. l have have a son who has been sick, severe epilepsy, for 21 yrs, very sad sickness, struggling everyday he is.

Naila Ceni (Facebook)


To turn personal pain into love, hope and kindness is a strength that not all possess. Jennifer was one of those remarkable and inspirational individuals who used her grief as an asset to become a catalyst for positive change. Her legacy of revolution, compassion and support will be ongoing. Thank you Jennifer.     

Katie Gregory


I might wish that I had never known Jennifer because we met due to us both losing a son who died from SUDEP.

But I'm so glad I did meet her and got to know her for her warmth, her friendship, her great sense of humour and her positive outlook on life. She was an amazing ambassador for the charity that she helped to found and a supportive fellow Trustee. She will be very much missed by her family, her friends, and everyone who knew her, including all those whose lives she touched at SUDEP Action.

Susan Allen