North London Food & Culture

In memory: Donna Brunt, Queen’s Crescent’s flower queen

Last week the popular stall-holder passed away, after a heart attack. Allan Jenkins pays tribute to a stalwart of the market whose family had been trading for 35 years, and who'll be deeply missed

Everything else may come and go – the heath food shop, the croissants, the crack dealers by the bookies, but one of the constants in Queen’s Crescent was Donna’s flowers.

And now Donna has died, aged just 48. Since she was a chirpy kid working her dad’s stall, Donna’s cheery cackle was the soundtrack of most market-goers’ Saturday. Her flowers, her herbs and other plants were cheaper by far than Columbia Road or any garden centre. She was strong on star lilies, had an eye for a dahlia and a tulip, was great with ‘mums – better than her dad.

I have come back from the crescent laden with armfuls of her cheery flowers more times than I dare remember, often forgetting in the excitement exactly how many vases I had. Donna was warm-hearted and quick-witted. She was loving and well-loved. Queen’s Crescent has lost a little of its soul. RIP.

Allan Jenkins is editor of the Observer Food Monthly magazine and has lived in Kentish Town since 1987.


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Any readers who who’d like to send their condolences to Donna’s family should sign the book outside Frank’s Superstore (62-66 Queen’s Crescent NW5), or hand a card in at the QCCA reception. Alternatively, leave a comment below.

9 thoughts on “In memory: Donna Brunt, Queen’s Crescent’s flower queen”

  1. Shocked and saddened to hear the news. She was a lovely lady whom I grew up seeing at the market since I was a young girl. Condolences to her family and friends xxxx

  2. Condolences to the family, I lived on Queen’s Crescent right opposite the Donna’s stall for 4 years, and listening to her on Thursdays and Saturdays always made me laugh, she had a lot of energy, and it’s sad to her of her passing so young. Thoughts with those who are grieving her now.

  3. Am so sad. I will miss her deeply. She was my shining star. She supported me through the start of my experience as a trader. She had so much energy she always smile and she would know if I was in a bad mood or sad. I was so looking forward to coming to the market not just for the sake of selling my goods but to see her positive always smiley face. Thanks Donna for supporting me so much throughout my entrepreneur experience at Qcm. You will always have a special place in my heart.

  4. I grew up in Queens Crescent as did my sister and my mum and dad are still there 54 yrs on, they are in the crescent all the time . When my sister and I visit we go ” up the crescent ” . Many colourful characters have come and gone over the years, and I can remember Donna well as a young girl helping her dad with the flowers and then taking it on herself , she was a very smiley bubbly lady, always remember her laughing and joking with her distinctive blond ponytail. Very , very sad news of her passing at such a young age. Condolences to her family at this very sad time.
    From Janis & family

    1. Such a sad day! Donna was a “one in a million” bubbly, lovely and incredibly kind hearted. I cannot imagine the market without Donna. Our thought and sympathies go out to the family. Sue, Brian, Jamie and Stuart.

  5. The Crescent won’t be the same without her. I too lost count of the plants I bought from Donna, I just loved her stall which totally brightened the place up, and her cheery nature. My sympathies to her family who’ve lost a smashing girl. X

  6. Donna was a very good friend of mine for Many Years she was a fast talking very smart sharp girl full of life and thoughtful of others, she always paid a lot of respect to me and I was shocked of her passing so suddenly.

    She will remain in my thoughts , Ian O’Halloran

Leave a Comment

9 thoughts on “In memory: Donna Brunt, Queen’s Crescent’s flower queen”

  1. Shocked and saddened to hear the news. She was a lovely lady whom I grew up seeing at the market since I was a young girl. Condolences to her family and friends xxxx

  2. Condolences to the family, I lived on Queen’s Crescent right opposite the Donna’s stall for 4 years, and listening to her on Thursdays and Saturdays always made me laugh, she had a lot of energy, and it’s sad to her of her passing so young. Thoughts with those who are grieving her now.

  3. Am so sad. I will miss her deeply. She was my shining star. She supported me through the start of my experience as a trader. She had so much energy she always smile and she would know if I was in a bad mood or sad. I was so looking forward to coming to the market not just for the sake of selling my goods but to see her positive always smiley face. Thanks Donna for supporting me so much throughout my entrepreneur experience at Qcm. You will always have a special place in my heart.

  4. I grew up in Queens Crescent as did my sister and my mum and dad are still there 54 yrs on, they are in the crescent all the time . When my sister and I visit we go ” up the crescent ” . Many colourful characters have come and gone over the years, and I can remember Donna well as a young girl helping her dad with the flowers and then taking it on herself , she was a very smiley bubbly lady, always remember her laughing and joking with her distinctive blond ponytail. Very , very sad news of her passing at such a young age. Condolences to her family at this very sad time.
    From Janis & family

    1. Such a sad day! Donna was a “one in a million” bubbly, lovely and incredibly kind hearted. I cannot imagine the market without Donna. Our thought and sympathies go out to the family. Sue, Brian, Jamie and Stuart.

  5. The Crescent won’t be the same without her. I too lost count of the plants I bought from Donna, I just loved her stall which totally brightened the place up, and her cheery nature. My sympathies to her family who’ve lost a smashing girl. X

  6. Donna was a very good friend of mine for Many Years she was a fast talking very smart sharp girl full of life and thoughtful of others, she always paid a lot of respect to me and I was shocked of her passing so suddenly.

    She will remain in my thoughts , Ian O’Halloran

Leave a Comment

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