A DEVASTATED son has paid tribute after the death of his childcare-pioneer mother, aged 48.
Nicola Jayne Singleton died suddenly on July 28 and her son said the family is ‘broken’.
Jay Sayers Singleton, 25, said his mum, Nicola, will be missed and remembered by many as the first person to open a disabled-friendly nursery in Blackburn.
Jay, Nicola’s only child, said: “The family are truly broken. Her death has come as a massive shock and it was totally unexpected. She was an amazing woman, grandma and mum.”
Jay was born with cerebral palsy which prompted his mum to open Blackburn’s first nursery for children with the condition.
Nicola opened Beechwood Nursery in Blackburn with her mother, Alison, who is battling a brain tumour.
Jay said: “My grandma and my mum opened the nursery because of me. My mum couldn’t find any nurseries that were wheelchair-friendly or had the experience of dealing with children with cerebral palsy.
“She wouldn’t let that stop her because that is the type of woman she was.
“She wanted to help others. I am in a wheelchair and mum wanted to help other kids in the same position.”
Jay said that Nicola had been to York on a barge with her husband, Simon, but died in her sleep.
A toxicology report is pending. Jay said Nicola suffered from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
One person who will miss Nicola dearly will be her five-year-old granddaughter, Lilly-Bou.
Jay said that Nicola lived for Lilly-Bou and she was at the time in her life where she was the most content.
Jay said: “My mum was in the happiest place of her life.
“She was loving her life and being a grandma to my daughter and she was over the moon because it was like her having her own little girl to love and look after.
“Her granddaughter completed her.”
Nicola was also a dear sister to Donna Louise and a much-loved daughter of John and Alison.
As well as being a mum and grandmother, Nicola worked as a psychotherapist. She loved to listen and help people said Jay.
He added: “Everybody who came across her said she was a special woman.”
A service at St James’ Church, Lower Darwen, on August 11 at 11.15am will be followed by cremation at Pleasington. Family flowers only, or donations to Cancer Research UK.
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