McDonald's mum was loved by all

Eddie Marshall paid an emotional tribute to his wife Jackie, saying she was a terrific lady who was a friend to the many youngsters who came into the restaurant.

Mr Marshall, 62, was married to his wife for more than 30 years. He said he was in shock and running on adrenalin since he was told of her death.

He said: "I am like a freight train about to hit a wall. Not only was she my wife and the mother to my children, she was my best friend.

"I hope you can understand what that means.

"This has left a huge hole."

Mr Marshall and his wife had two children, John and Claire, now both in their 30s.

He said: "I consider myself very privileged to have had her as my wife and my very great friend. She will be sorely missed, not only by her family but by everybody who knew her.

"Even the staff who have left always kept in touch. The phone was always going.

"It was all one big, happy family."

He also spoke with fondness about their grandchildren, Oliver, seven, Lauren, 13, and Michaela, 15.

He said: "Jackie was over the moon. She got her second childhood - she was a terrific lady."

Their home also holds many memories.

He said: "I just have to move something or look at something and it brings back a memory."

He and Mrs Marshall's sister, Gill Colbourne, 50, said they wanted everyone to know what a "true gem" the world had lost.

Mr Marshall said: "I can't do her justice. I feel privileged to have had her as a wife."

Fighting back tears, Mrs Colbourne said: "She was just amazing. She meant the same to the whole family. I don't know who I'm going to talk to now she's gone."

Mrs Marshall, 57, of Southbourne near Chichester, had worked for the fast-food chain for 15 years.

She was attacked as she supervised a children's party at the Terminus Road restaurant, Chichester, on Saturday at lunchtime.

Shane Freer, 20, of First Avenue, Batchmere, appeared in court yesterday charged with Mrs Marshall's murder.

Freer, a former McDonald's employee spoke at the hearing at Chichester Magistrates Court only to confirm his name, age and address, and to say he understood the charge.

Bespectacled Freer, who wore a creased white shirt, was remanded in custody until April 28, when he is due before Lewes Crown Court.

Tributes poured in throughout yesterday from people of all ages who knew Mrs Marshall as the friendly hostess in their local McDonald's.

Speaking at a Press conference in Chichester, Mr Marshall explained how his wife loved her job and her customers and was wonderful with children.

His voice breaking, Mr Marshall said: "There were young parents, pregnant ladies, and through her time at McDonald's she had the opportunity to see these children grow up, go to university and really follow their careers.

"If you didn't know who Jackie was, just look around for the person who was leading the conga and in the silliest dress and that was her.

"That's why the children loved her - to them she was a big sister, a friend.

"If they went to Alton Towers she'd be the first up on the scariest ride. That was her - that's who she was."

Mr Marshall also spoke of his wife's charity work, saying she would accompany the restaurant's mascot Ronald McDonald to visit children in hospital.

He said: "This was the part of the job Jackie really loved."

Mrs Colbourne spoke of her sister's cheeky side when playing with her grandchildren.

She said: "She would get this glint in her eye and be romping with all the children."

Neighbours of the mother-of-two in the small village of Southbourne expressed deep sadness at the loss of such a popular member of their community.

Jill Blain, 45, who lived a few doors up from Mrs Marshall in Second Avenue, said: "She was just brilliant.

"She was warm and welcoming and if you ever needed anything, she was there for you.

"My favourite memories of her are chatting over the hedge and the little things she would do for people.

"She will be sadly missed."

Another neighbour said: "There are no words that can describe it. We feel numb.

"She was full of fun and doted on the kids. She was smashing."

Mrs Colbourne said her sister always put others first.

She said: "If she was down, you would never know.

"If you found out later, she would say I didn't like to bother you'.

"She would ring up and say Hi, it's Jackie. I haven't got anything to say but I just wanted to call you'.

"She was such a wonderful, wonderful person."

Youngsters living nearby echoed the sentiments of so many when they said Mrs Marshall had been well-liked by their age group.

Patrick Elsbury, 11, also of Second Avenue, said: "She was just great fun. We liked her a lot."

His friend Ben Rigby, 14, of First Avenue, said: "She was cool.

"She wasn't like other people in restaurants who just give you your food and walk off.

"She knew us and would talk to us. We liked her a lot."

Friends and colleagues continued to arrive at McDonald's throughout yesterday to remember and mourn the restaurant's lobby host who remained dedicated to her job throughout her years there.

One young man stayed for an hour and wept as he sat beside the scores of floral tributes.

McDonald's staff who worked with the popular grandmother comforted each other at their workplace.

Kim Healey, 19, said: "We are all feeling the same things. We are angry and upset. It's hit people very hard. It's going to be difficult for people to come back to work."

Miss Healey, of Nelson Row, Ford, worked at the restaurant for two years before leaving last November.

She said: "I became so close to Jackie. She was like a second mum. I could talk to her about anything.

"When I found out what had happened I couldn't stop crying. If I could turn back the clock, I would stand in her place."

People who were there when the attack took place also came to leave flowers.

Sarah Knott, 36, was in the Terminus Road Industrial Estate car park near the restaurant at the time.

She said: "People started pouring out of the restaurant.

"I saw these four little boys running out. They were really shaken up."

Mrs Knott knew Mrs Marshall from trips she had taken to the restaurant with her two children aged four and six.

She said: "She was definitely a one-off."

"Jackie was a pillar of the community. I just want to express my deepest sorrow for her family."

Rebecca Thompson, 34, said she would never be able to walk into a McDonald's again.

Mrs Thompson, of Littleheath Road, Fontwell, said: "My husband had our kids at another McDonald's on Saturday lunchtime.

"We normally bring them here and it's just so lucky we didn't.

"My nine-year-old saw the news and said Mummy, that nice lady has died'. Our hearts go out to the family. This community will really miss her."

Cards left on the bunches of flowers contained moving tributes to a much-loved member of the Chichester community.

One attached to a small white bunch said: "Dearest sister and much-loved auntie night-night. Sleep tight. Love you always."

Another read: "Jacky. You brought a little bit of sunshine into each day. The world won't be as bright without you in it. We'll all miss you. Nini, Roger, Gemma, Maria."

A letter left next to the bouquets read: "To all of Jacky's friends.

"I would like to express my deepest sorrow for the passing of our dear Jacky.

"She was the loveliest, liveliest and most cheerful character I have ever had the pleasure of working with.

"My only regret is not telling Jacky this. I will miss her stories and her love of life. My heart goes out to her hubbie, whom she always talked about. She will be dearly missed by us all. I will never forget you. James."

West Sussex County Council set up a helpline for anyone who witnessed or may have been affected by the incident.

A spokesman said: "The council is particularly concerned about the children and young people who may have seen this incident."

A sign on the door at McDonald's said the restaurant would remain closed until today as a mark of respect to Mrs Marshall.

A spokesman said: "We are absolutely shocked and horrified by this tragic incident.

"Our thoughts and sincerest sympathies are with the family of a much-loved, valued and respected member of the team."

A note saying it was from Mrs Marshall's mother included a moving poem attached to a bouquet.

It read: "My darling daughter Jackie, "Who has this day been taken so tragically from me, "You are always in my mind and thoughts, with memories I will cherish, "You may not appear in flesh but to me you will be present, "Your cheerful manner and approach is what I always relish, "The way and manner that you were taken is what I do resent, "God bless and keep you safe for me, until that day we meet again, "Jack, your dad will be there to meet you, of that we can be sure, "Then in due time, when all together, we will be a family once more.

"From your loving and heartbroken MUM XXXXXXXX"

One poignant card read: "You will be missed by so many people.

"Always a smile on your face and a friendly chat. A very special lady.

"Rest in peace.

"Your Friday friends' Sally and Zac."

Judith Martin, 65, of Drift Road, Selsey, said Mrs Marshall was one in a million.

She said: "This woman was the nicest human being you could ever meet.

"Everybody said it about her before this.

"This is the most devastating thing that could have happened."

There were more than 50 bouquets at McDonald's by the end of yesterday.

Mrs Martin said: "In the Sainsbury's across the road, everyone is crying and buying flowers.

"Everybody is talking about it. This is just such a tragic loss."

Chichester mayor Mick Shone said: "This is an appalling and tragic incident and must have been extremely traumatic for witnesses.

"The best thing witnesses can do is speak to other people about it and we have a number of counselling agencies which they can easily be put in touch with."

McDonald's staff said they would be working closely with Sussex Police during their investigation into the incident.

A police spokesman said: "We are appealing for witnesses who have not already provided their details to contact police."