Bookseller dies after losing battle with brain tumour

nlnews@archant.co.uk
29 July 2010

A BOOKLOVER who ran a children's bookshop for more than 16 years has died after a seven-month battle with a brain tumour.

Lesley Agnew, owner and manager of the family-run Children's Bookshop Muswell Hill, in Fortis Green, passed away on Sunday surrounded by her family, after suffering from a brain tumour since last year.

The 65-year-old, of Muswell Road, Muswell Hill, who had four daughters and five grandchildren and lived in the area for more than 40 years, worked right up until her illness was diagnosed at Christmas.

Her daughter Kate Agnew, with whom she ran the business, said: "Books and reading have always been part of her life as well as her desire to enthuse children with her love of books.

"She was a well known figure in Muswell Hill but the bookshop has a national reputation. She died peacefully with her family."

A private funeral will be held next week, but the family are also planning to host a larger memorial service in tribute to her later in the year.

Mrs Agnew was a member of the Booksellers Association's children's group, a regular contributor to The Bookseller magazine and used to work in community education before turning her hand to books.

The shop, which recently celebrated its 35th anniversary, has also won several awards under Mrs Agnew's management -including the Walker Books Children's Independent of the Year at the inaugural Bookseller Retail Awards in 2005.

Since then the shop has won a cluster of national awards and nominations.

She has been quoted as saying the one book that should be part of every childhood is The Orchard Book of Greek Myths - a collection of classic stories including the legends of Pandora, Icarus and the Trojan Horse.