January 22, 2020 9.50 am This story is over 50 months old

Charity pays tribute to ‘sweet and kind’ Lincoln woman after police find body

Hundreds of people have left messages of condolences
Tributes have been paid to Julie Walsh.

Tributes have poured in for a “very special” Lincoln charity shop volunteer from Washingborough, whose body was found in the River Witham on Monday.

As previously reported, 43-year-old woman Julie Walsh went missing from her home in Washingborough on January 16. Police attended reports of a body in the river at Washingborough on January 20, which they believe to be Julie.

The force is still awaiting formal identification. The death is not being treated as suspicious.

Julie volunteered at three Oxfam shops in Lincoln over more than a decade, most recently at the Oxfam Lincoln High Street shop.

The shop posted a tribute to her on its Facebook page saying: “It is with a very heavy heart that we share the news that our friend and volunteer Julie Walsh has passed away.

“Julie was a very special volunteer and we will miss her very very much. Our thoughts are with her family at this difficult time. May you rest in peace Julie.”

Julie was described as a “very special” woman. Photo: Oxfam Lincoln Bookshop

Oxfam Lincoln Bookshop added: “More sad news. We learned today (Tuesday) that we have also lost Julie. Julie was another of our longest serving volunteers, having worked at three different Oxfam shops in Lincoln over more than a decade, most recently at the Oxfam Lincoln High Street shop.

“Julie was a sweet and kind person, and her sudden loss has been a terrible shock to us all.”

Hundreds of people also took to social media to leave tributes and messages of condolences so the much-loved woman.

Melany Tilbury said: “I remember you from the Marriott Hotel, you came to my leaving party. Really lovely girl, always smiling. I feel sad hearing this. RIP Julie.”

Zoe Clayton Herbert said: “Rest in peace Julie, you were a lovely person.”

Adrian Thacker said: “More sad news. Julie came to me many years ago when she had lost her purpose in life. When I left Oxfam she had turned into an up and coming young lady.

“She also donated her time to help others. The news of her sad passing was a shock to me. My thoughts are with her family and friends. She will be deeply missed.”