Tributes to loving foster mother who raised 150 children

A foster mother who cared for more than 150 Shrewsbury children and was known by a generation as ‘mom’ has died at the age of 90.

Jean Israel, formerly of Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury, died at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital after a brief illness. She brought up generations of youngsters, after becoming a foster parent in 1962.

Her work was recognised in 1977 when she was awarded a coveted Jubilee Medal. However, she declined an invitation to visit Buckingham Palace – because she didn’t want to miss cooking her foster children’s teas.

Today one of her many foster children, Louise Hughes, of Shrewsbury, said: “She was, simply, ‘mom’, not just to me, but to a generation of children.

“Jean was a wonderfully caring, strong and empathetic lady. She took care of children of all ages, over a long, long period. She started in 1958 and continued until she was physically unable to carry on.” Mrs Hughes added that Mrs Israel had given many people the sort of happy life that they might not otherwise have enjoyed.

She said: “She gave society’s most vulnerable people a start in life. Children who were often at risk, or who might have been abused, were taken in and loved.”

Mrs Israel’s lifelong friend, Shrewsbury undertaker Clive Pugh, described her as an unassuming woman who looked after people for the love of it, rather than for any thanks. He said: “She was a very wonderful lady and remarkably kind and selfless.”

Mrs Israel lived at Abbey Foregate, in Shrewsbury. She died peacefully at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital on July 10. Her funeral was due to take place today at Shrewsbury Crematorium.

Read a feature article on Mrs Israel in today's Shropshire Star