Tributes paid to talented 21-year-old

Leanne Gower, aged 21, was a passenger in a silver Ford Puma which was in collision with a grey Ford Fusion on the A508 near Stoke Bruerne on Monday, May 26.

Leanne lived with her boyfriend in Buckingham.

She had worked at debt recovery firm DLC in Brackley since leaving Magdalen College School.

A talented performer, as a teenager she performed with the Brackley Players.

Her parents, Elaine and Phil, and her boyfriend, Matt Shackleton, said: “Leanne was our precious daughter, sister and partner.

“She was beautiful both outside and inside.

“She brought fun and laughter into the lives of all those that knew her.

“We are comforted that we have so many happy memories of her all-too-short life.

“Sadly missed, always loved.”

Leanne’s friend, Megan Brownrigg, from Brackley, said: “Leanne was one of those rare people who would be there for anyone, she was so warm and never without that gorgeous smile.

“Both kind and beautiful, Leanne was really creative too.

“She wrote a play when she was only 14 and had a wonderful singing voice, but probably never knew how good she was.

“She was a true friend who we’ll all miss so much.”

Another friend, Jo Knight, said: “There are not enough words to describe how heartbroken this news has left everybody.

“One of life’s naturally lovely people has been taken from this world far too soon.”

Magdalen College School headteacher Ian Colling said: “Leanne was well 
liked and respected by her fellow students and staff alike, and was a pleasure to 
teach.

“She was a very talented singer and an able musician who will be remembered for her contribution to the Chamber Choir, the Magdalen Singers and also for playing the clarinet.

“She was very generous with her time when participating in school productions, in which she was always an enthusiastic performer.

“We would like to extend our deepest sympathy to her family and friends in their sad loss.”

Keith Fraser, of the Brackley Players, recalled Leanne playing principal boy in the pantomime Babes In The Wood in 2006.

Mr Fraser said: “She played Robin Hood and I ended up playing the Sheriff of Nottingham. She was 14 and I was 59, so I was old enough to be her grandfather, yet I didn’t feel I was acting opposite 
a youngster.

“With Leanne, it was her enthusiasm and natural effervescence on stage.

“She stood out – her talent, her ability to listen to what was asked of her and then to deliver on stage.

“And then when she was 14 or 15 she wrote this play that was produced at Southfield School and got all her school chums to take part.

“She wrote it, she partly directed it, she produced it, she got all the team together and it was her enthusiasm that carried some of the others along.

“She was a talented lass, full of enthusiasm, willing to learn and imparting her enthusiasm to others.

“I thought she was terrific.

“She didn’t have any pretensions. She was confident and believed in what she was doing.

“She will certainly be missed by her friends. She lived her life and she enjoyed what she did.”

The driver of the car Leanne was travelling in, a 22-year-old woman from Brackley was airlifted to hospital with non life threatening injuries.

Witnesses to the crash or anyone with information should call the Drivewatch Hotline on 0800 174615 or Northamptonshire Police on 101.