Remembering radiographer and Bury plane crash widow, Imelda

As she walked down the streets of Bury St Edmunds, Imelda Browne was often stopped by her former patients, all of whom remembered the flame-haired radiographer who had put them at ease.

“Everyone remembered her,” said Imelda’s younger son, Charles. Getting an Xray for a broken bone could be a nerve-wracking experience, especially for children. However, Imelda’s motherly nature and Irish charm never failed to put people at ease, and they were eager to tell her how much her kindness had meant.

Imelda was instantly recognisable to people, as the flame-haired radiographer who had put them at ease. (Image: Charles Withers)

​Imelda was born in Tubbercurry in County Sligo, Ireland, on September 14, 1932, the youngest of six children born to Felix and Margaret Feighan. Imelda always remained proud of her Irish heritage, even after moving to England, where she built her own family and amassed a wide circle of friends.

After qualifying as a radiographer, Imelda moved to Colchester, working at the West Suffolk Hospital and later in Thetford. It was in Colchester that she met Peter Withers, the man who was to become her husband.

Peter was fresh from finishing his National Service as a military policeman, and a keen sportsman; he played for both, Colchester and Bury St Edmunds Rugby Club, and for Bury Edmunds Cricket Club.

Imelda and Peter became engaged, marrying on October 2, 1958. Their first child, Tom, arrived in 1964, followed by Catherine in 1967 and Charles in 1970. Sadly, the couple’s fourth child, a daughter named Christina, died at birth.

Peter was a grain merchant, and the family lived for several years in Troston, where he ran his own farm. As well as the arable side, he also kept livestock. Although she continued to work as a radiographer, Imelda would often help Peter with the farm, and soon became adept at feeding the pigs.

Imelda and Peter Withers on their wedding day, on October 2nd, 1958. (Image: Charles Withers) Imelda and Peter with their three children, Tom, Catherine and Charles. (Image: Charles Withers)

In 1974, tragedy struck the Withers family.

Peter, along with the rest of the Bury St Edmunds rugby club, had travelled to Paris to watch England play against France in the rugby international in Paris.

They were on their way home, when the Turkish Airlines plane they had boarded crashed into the Ermenonville Forest.

The 346 passengers onboard were killed, including 18 members of the Bury rugby team. Peter was amongst them.

The disaster rocked the Suffolk town, leaving ten women without their husbands and 19 children fatherless. Imelda suddenly found herself a widow at just 41, grieving the loss of her husband and raising her three young children alone.

Peter Withers was a member of the Bury Rugby Club. Peter can be seen in the middle of the front row, holding the rugby ball. (Image: Charles Withers)

A memorial to the members of the rugby club who lost their lives, with Peter Withers' name appearing at the bottom of the plinth. (Image: Gooderham PR / PA Wire)

Charles said that his mother always kept herself busy. Following Peter’s death, the family moved to Ixworth, spending much of their time in Fornham All Saints.

Imelda continued to work as a radiographer, but also carried on farming, remaining a member of the Bury St Edmunds and Farmers Club for many years.

On top of this, Imelda also found the time to volunteer as a driver for Meals on Wheels, referring to her clients affectionately as ‘my old ladies’.

It was through her status as a farmer that Imelda became member of the British Association of Women Entrepreneurs (BAWE), a non-profit organisation that fosters links between women so that they can network, support and learn from one another.

Imelda was able to travel widely through trips organised by the BAWE. Some of these trips included being introduced to household names – on one occasion, Imelda met the King of Thailand, and on another, Nelson Mandela.

However, she was never one to be starstruck. When her children asked what the experience had been like, she simply said: ‘I can talk to anyone.’

Imelda was known and loved for her kind nature, with many referring to her as being 'like a second mother'. (Image: Charles Withers) Imelda Browne, pictured with her granddaughter Eliza. Imelda was also a loving grandmother to Alex, Charlotte, Georgia and Kiara. (Image: Charles Withers) Members of the Bury Rugby Club preparing for their charity bike ride, in memory of the 18 members of the club who lost their lives in a plane crash 50 years previously. (Image: Gooderham PR / PA Wire)

In her later years, Imelda found love again. She had met John Browne years previously but bumped into him again one day as they both shopped in Waitrose.

On May 21, 1999, they tied the knot, and Imelda became Mrs Browne.

After retiring, Imelda became a keen bridge player, and enjoyed browsing local markets and meeting her friends for lunch. She was a grandmother to five, and remained hugely proud of each of her grandchildren’s achievements.

In the final days of her life, Imelda was cared for at Brandon Park care home, with her family remaining grateful for the compassionate care she received.

Imelda passed away on September 11, three days before her 92nd birthday.

She died just days before a memorial bike ride concluded, which had set off from Ermenonville to Bury St Edmunds in memory of Peter and the other members of the rugby club who lost their lives 50 years ago.

As per her wishes, Imelda will be buried with her daughter, Christina.