Tribute to the founder of Art in the Park in Leamington Mo Finnesey who never gave up in the face of adversity and always looked after those in need

Mo died, aged 81, of Coronavirus at Cow Lees Care Home in Bedworth on April 19 after she had been battling against Alzheimer's disease.

She had lived in Leamington since 1969, making it her home for almost 50 years.

Mo was passionate about her community in the town and was a leading figure in the Regenesis Project and involved with the creation of the Leamington Canal Festival.

She was a talented seamstress, who made her own clothes and her children's clothes.

She also volunteered at The Loft Theatre for several years.

Outside of her family, art was Mo's biggest passion.

She was a talented artist who held her own exhibitions.

Her daughter, Jo Seager, said: "Mum had the idea for and was the founder and driving force of Leamington Art in the Park.

"Originally told by some that it was 'a daft idea' and that it 'would never work', she went on to prove how wrong they were.

"She leaves an amazing legacy.

"She was talented at everything she did but perhaps her best talent was her people skills.

"She was liked and loved by everyone she met, with the ability to put people at ease.

"They knew they could trust her.

"Mum had a very strong sense of right from wrong and a desire to help and enhance the community she lived in.

"She cared about people and was always willing to listen and help.

"She approached everything she did with passion, compassion, kindness and enthusiasm.

"She made people believe anything was possible and they could do and be anything they wanted, often leading by example.

"She was loyal and kind and inspired the same in those around her.

"Special thanks go to Gill and Jan, longstanding friends of Mum's, who continued to support and visit her through the final years of her illness.

"She was a force of nature, she was many things to many people - a friend, artist, confidante, aunty, sister, protector, visionary and campaigner.

"But to her children and grandchild she was Mum and Nanny, loved and respected in equal measures.

"She will be greatly missed.

"The world and Leamington will be a poorer place without her."

Mo was born in Liverpool and, as a child, she sang in the Liverpool Girls Choir.

As an adult, she worked as a model and comptometer operator in the iconic Liver Building.

Always creative, Mo was interested in the arts from an early age.

After marrying she moved to Nuneaton and had her two children, Jo and Chris.

"While living there she and her friend set up the first mother's club and playgroup.

The playgroup came under considerable pressure to close with Mo receiving a phone call from a councillor telling her 'you should not be opening this, you should be in the home, waiting for your husbands, not out enjoying yourselves'.

Jo Said: "This resulted in Mum being more determined than ever to make it a success.

"It was and, as far as I know, it is still running.

"This was a theme that continued throughout the rest of her life.

"She never gave up in the face of adversity and always looked after those that needed it."

As things stand, Art in the Park 2020 is still due to take place at Jephson Gardens on August 1 and 2.

Kate Livington, the festival's director, said: "Mo had an infectious passion for the community and the arts.

"She was a very active member of the Leamington Studio Artist s(LSA) and In 2013 had the idea that Leamington needed a community event that would give artists a platform to sell their art and inspire visitors to create art.

"During this time she was a very active volunteer at the LSA’s Gallery 150.

"She would help with installations, working daily with customers and artists.

"It was during this time that Mo visited Art in Action in Oxford.

"This was when the idea was born.

"She would spend tireless hours canvassing to get the community to support her larger-than-life vision.

"With a lot of determination, passion and a team of volunteers, in 2014 Art in the Park took place for the first time.

"Leamington is so fortunate to have had someone like Mo, who had the vision and passion to create this amazing event for the town.

"Last year Art in the Park had more than 40,000 visitors and gave a platform for more than 250 artists, performers, and workshops.

"Currently the delivery team has all their fingers crossed and is still working behind the scenes and following government guidelines to try and hold Leamington Art in the Park 2020."

Due to the current situation, Mo's funeral will be a private ceremony held in the coming days.

However, her family plans to hold a celebration of her life at a later date and look forward to seeing lots of people then.