A lasting tribute is planned in Maryport to former Cumbria Woman of the Year and community stalwart Christabel Patterson MBE.

The family of Mrs Patterson, known as Chrissie, wants to erect a plaque in All Souls’ Church where she was a member of the choir for decades.

Community leaders have paid tribute to Mrs Patterson following her death at the Solway House Residential Home.

Mrs Patterson, 93, was named Cumbria Woman of the Year in 2007 in recognition of the tens of thousands of pounds she raised for charity.

She was a member of the Maryport Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society (Maods) for nearly 60 years.

It was through this involvement and at the request of the Maryport Lions Club that she was persuaded to set up a concert party to entertain the elderly, supported by her late husband Harrison.

John Slater, Lion and president of Maods, said that was the start of something huge.

She received an award from Lord Baden Powell for organising Maryport’s Poppy Appeal for more than 25 years and her remembrance concerts raised money for the charity.

Her concert party raised money for the Maryport carnival and toured Cumbria raising funds wherever needed.

The couple ran an electrical equipment shop, which also sold records, and attracted some of the most famous pop icons of the 1950s and 1960s.

Mr Slater said: “Chrissie and Harrison were great friends of our family. Knowing her was a wonderful journey. I had a wonderful ride with them and Chrissie’s death closes a chapter in our lives.”

Former town mayor Linda Radcliffe performed in Mrs Patterson’s concerts and was involved in church with her.

She said: “She brought a lot of joy through her love of life, her performances and her jokes. She always had a joke.

“Despite her diminutive size she was larger than life. She had such a capacity to cheer people up. She will be missed.”

Mrs Patterson also restarted the Maryport Hospital League of Friends in the 1970s and was president for decades.

She raised money through her annual garden party. She remained patron of the league until her death.

Former league secretary Betty Martin said she was a very hardworking woman.

Councillor Carni McCarron-Holmes also paid tribute to Mrs Patterson.

“She was one of the finest singers in Maryport and used her talent to support the community.”

When Mr and Mrs television show host Derek Batey stepped down as compere of the annual Age Concern Rally at the Market Hall in Carlisle, Mrs Patterson took over – and talked later about how nervous she was.

She appeared on television’s Songs of Praise and sang at Carlisle Cathedral five times.

She was also a member and former chairman of Maryport Townswomen’s Guild.

She was a founding member of the Maryport Cancer Research committee and Maryport Inshore Rescue. Also a flower arranger, she wrote and directed pantomimes and formed and conducted Maryport Blind and Disabled Singing for Pleasure group and helped with Meals on Wheels.

If anyone needed anything, Mrs Patterson was there.

She was the youngest of eight brothers and sisters brought up in a two-bedroom house in Ellenborough.

She is survived by daughter Jill, son Keith, two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.