Isle of Man Mourns the Loss of Jurby Junk Legend Stella

The Isle of Man is mourning the loss of one of its most distinctive and much-loved characters following the death of Stella, the founder of the iconic Jurby Junk.

She passed away on February 8, aged 90.

Born on November 20, 1935, Stella was an artist, poet and author, but will be best remembered as the force of nature behind Jurby Junk, a shop so unique it became a tourist attraction in its own right.

Stella and her famous emporium featured on numerous national television programmes, drawing visitors from across the UK and around the world, many of whom came as much for a chat with Stella as to browse her treasures.

Open seven days a week, Stella welcomed customers dressed in her trademark black leather outfit, a look she famously maintained with seven identical dresses, one for each day of the week.

New visitors were often stunned on first stepping into what Stella fondly regarded as her ‘Kingdom’, a reaction she took great delight in.

Despite the organised chaos, she appeared to know exactly where everything was and was always happy to help.

Jurby Junk became a fixture of life in the north of the island, with generations of families returning again and again.

Stella particularly enjoyed seeing children who had once visited with their parents come back years later with families of their own.

If a customer discovered they had picked up a rare or valuable item for a pound, Stella was genuinely delighted for them, a reflection of her famously unconventional business philosophy: ‘Everything I make, I put back into the shop for my customers.’

Stella also supported the island’s film industry, supplying props free of charge on the condition she could appear in a cameo role.

Her life before Jurby Junk was equally remarkable.

As a single mother in the 1960s and 70s, she worked long hours for the UK government at the Central Office of Information, running her own department, something highly unusual at the time.

Described by her family as an inspiration, icon and hero, Stella is remembered for her sense of fun, tireless work ethic and stoic approach to life.

She will be reunited with her father, Howard Pixton, a pioneer aviator, at Jurby Church cemetery.

A private cremation will take place in accordance with her wishes.

Stella Pixton, owner of Jurby Junk –

Credit of information: Corkhill & Callow Funeral Directors Isle of Man