The family of a 31-year-old woman killed while out riding her bike today said "she made an indelible impression on everyone she met."
Jennie Dowd died on Tuesday after the tragic collision in Sefton Village, nine days earlier, at 8.45am on Sunday, September 27.
Today, her relatives spoke about the legacy she left behind, her promising career in the NHS and her devotion to her wife and family.
Jennie worked at the Royal Liverpool Hospital in a senior role and had previously lived in South Africa as part of her studies.
She had worked tirelessly helping homeless people on Merseyside battling HIV and Hepatitis C, and was "always putting people at the centre of her work."
In a statement, her family said: "Jennie was a beloved wife, daughter, granddaughter, sister, aunt, friend and colleague.
"At only 31-years-old, she was on a bright career path in the NHS, embraced life’s wild and wonderful sides and fought vociferously for equality and fair representation in many fields.
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"Jennie was working as a senior project manager in the Royal Liverpool Hospital at the time of her death.
"She had completed her postgraduate diploma in healthcare leadership with distinction the year before while participating in the NHS graduate management training scheme.
"During the coronavirus pandemic lockdown earlier in the year, Jennie was proud to be part of a team that rolled out a testing programme for homeless people in Merseyside which led to over 60 people being put on treatment plans for HIV and Hepatitis C.
"Many of Jennie’s colleagues have noted that she always put people and patients at the centre of all her work.
"In 2015, Jennie moved to Cape Town, South Africa, to complete a Master’s degree specialising in gender studies at the University of Cape Town.
"Soon after arriving, Jennie met her wife, Sam, and in September 2016 they returned to Jennie’s hometown of Liverpool.
"They were married in 2019.
"Jennie loved the outdoors and spent as much time as she could with her young nieces.
"Jennie’s family is extremely grateful to the emergency department at Aintree University Hospital as well as the Walton Centre for their exceptional care of her.
"She made an indelible impression on everyone she met and will be sorely missed."
The tragedy happened on Lunt Road, close to the well-known Punchbowl pub.
A 23-year-old Sefton woman was arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and failing to stop after a road traffic accident.
She was later released under investigation.
Police have appealed for witnesses or anyone who has information about the incident.
Anyone yet to come forward who saw this incident, lives locally and has CCTV or dashcam, is asked to contact police via their Roads Policing Unit on (0151) 7775747, or you can pass information via their social media desk on Twitter @MerPolCC or Facebook Merseyside Police CC with reference 20000585062.
