Remembering a tireless fundraiser and creator of Witney in Pink, town’s beloved community event
For Jeanne Chattoe, raising funds and raising awareness of breast cancer was a personal crusade. When she first met Dr Leathem and his wife Pat in 1990, Jeanne resolved there and then that she had found the people and the cause worthy of her support. The founders of the charity had unknowingly found an advocate who would become a dear friend and remain by their side for the next 30 years.
Jeanne’s unwavering commitment to Against Breast Cancer was born through the loss of her beloved sister. Delia was 41 when in 1994 she lost her battle with breast cancer. Jeanne accompanied her sister throughout her treatment and described the feeling of impotence at being unable to help. She knew the feeling would never leave her.
In 1998 Jeanne found herself sitting in the same chair in the same chemotherapy clinic as her sister had just four years earlier. This time she was receiving her own course of treatment following a breast cancer diagnosis. The same disease would also claim the life of Jeanne’s mother.
A retailer at heart, Jeanne opened her shop Renaissance in the years following Delia’s death. It was here that together with her small group of friends and volunteers, Jeanne created Witney in Pink, an annual community event now firmly embedded in the town’s calendar and whose reputation has grown far beyond West Oxfordshire, raising hundreds of thousands of pounds for breast cancer research and in 2025 celebrated its 25th anniversary.
Such was her drive and commitment, Jeanne agreed to become a Trustee of the charity, a position she held for over 20 years, including a 10-year spell as Chair of Trustees. She oversaw how the vital funds supporters like her raised were used to support challenging, long-term projects focused on secondary spread, the main cause of breast cancer related deaths.
Jeanne’s mission was simple; she wanted a future free from breast cancer. She knew a vaccine would not be available in time to help her, but she had faith that through research one would be found in time to help other people’s sisters, mothers, daughters and nieces.
“Jeanne was a hard act to follow when I took over the baton as chair of ABC. Her devotion to ABC was an inspiration and enthused the whole ABC community.”
Richard Bahu, Chair of Trustees
It was this extraordinary drive that brought Jeanne to the attention Prime Minister Theresa May who in 2018 awarded her a Points of Light Award. Then in 2023 His Majesty the King, named her in his first birthday honours list awarding Jeanne the British Empire Medal for charitable services to people living with cancer. The award came with the following testimony:
“The inclusion of Jeanne Chattoe in the King’s Birthday Honours List is a testament to her exceptional contribution and the significant difference she has made in the lives of people affected by breast cancer. Her unwavering commitment and passion serve as a shining example for others to follow, emphasizing the importance of community engagement.“
Jeanne is survived by her husband Mark, daughter Lucy and son Richard.