Tributes paid to Colchester couple who both died with Covid

Jill Etches, 73, and her husband Brian, 76, died at Colchester Hospital 17 days apart from each other, on January 19 and February 5.

The couple were well-liked residents of the older persons’ development in Winsley Square, Colchester, where they had lived for several years.

Their friends and neighbours lined the streets to wave goodbye when their double funeral took place.

The couple, who did not have their own children, were incredibly close to their nieces and nephews and in particular Eloise Etches Davis, 33, and Stacey Temperley, 41.

Eloise, who lives in Colchester, said: “They were very different people. Brian was a quiet man and very gentle whereas Jill was the loud and bubbly one.

“They fitted together like two pieces of a jigsaw, they were so incredibly close.”

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The couple met in Colchester town centre at what is now the Purple Dog - then the Clarence pub.

Brian, who was serving in the Army in his hometown of Colchester, instantly fell for Wivenhoe girl Jill.

They married in 1968 before spending many happy decades together in Colchester.

Brian went on to work as a taxi driver and was a devoted Colchester United supporter.

Eloise said he kept asking after the U’s fortunes during his last days in hospital.

She said: “They both fell ill after the turn of the year.

“Brian went in to hospital more or less straight away because he had a number of health conditions.

“Jill was OK for a few weeks as she was really fit and healthy, so it was a huge shock when she died.”

She added: “I can’t describe how awful it was to lose them both.”

Jill was a well-known face around Colchester town centre and the couple loved eating out at the town’s many restaurants.

Stacey and Eloise said: “They were devoted to their family, and were an incredible brother, sister, auntie, uncle and friend to so many.

“Their loss has devastated us beyond words but their memory will live on and we feel so incredibly lucky to have had such a wonderful couple in our lives.”