Actress and singer June Marlow has passed away at the age of 95, just days after celebrating her birthday. Marlow, born Jean Dike, died on February 22 at her home overlooking Sutton Harbour in Plymouth. She spent her final days surrounded by those closest to her.
Express reported that her daughter, Kate Van Dike, stayed by her side during the final weeks, moving in to help care for her as staff from St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth provided medical support.
Daughter Kate Van Dike Shares Emotional Tribute
EntertainmentNowFamily members shared that the beloved performer spent her last days in the home she had cherished for more than three decades.
Following her mother’s passing, Van Dike shared her gratitude for the hospice staff who helped care for Marlow at home during her final weeks. As per a report in the Mirror, she said:
“They treated Mum with such tenderness and acknowledged her as the most important person. We could never have cared for her at home without their help.”
She said the nurses became a reassuring presence during some of the most difficult moments. Van Dike noted that their visits often felt like “the cavalry arriving” as her mother’s condition gradually declined.
Despite growing weaker, Marlow chose not to dwell on her illness.
“Mum didn’t want to focus on that,” Kate said. “She kept looking forward and was always pragmatic and driven.”
Even in her final days, the warmth that defined her life never faded.
“Even at the end she was still able to flash her beautiful smile.”
A Familiar Face on BBC and ITV Television
GettyMarlow became a familiar face on British television, appearing in a range of well-known productions across several decades.
She featured in multiple BBC programs, including “The Pickwick Papers,” “Jamaica Inn,” and the children’s drama “MI High,” where she appeared alongside comedy favorite June Whitfield.
ITV viewers also came to know her through appearances in the popular series “Doc Martin,” where she shared the screen with Martin Clunes.
With her warm presence and reliable performances, Marlow built a reputation as a respected character actress whose work left a lasting impression across British television.
A Life in Performance That Began in Plymouth
Local reports confirmed that Marlow was born on January 15, 1931, and grew up in Plymouth’s Barbican neighborhood. Her passion for performing appeared early in life.
Teachers noticed her natural talent during school nativity productions, where she sang and entertained classmates with impressions of well-known performers, including Mae West.
That early enthusiasm eventually grew into a career spanning decades across television, music, and the stage.
As per Mirror, even in her later years, Marlow remained active in the industry. Her final television appearance came at age 87, when she played Ethel, a patient who had fallen and injured her hand on a rusted nail.
Family members say the same warmth and grace audiences saw on screen were present in her everyday life. For those who knew her best, Marlow will be remembered for the dignity, elegance, and kindness she carried throughout her life and career.
