ENTERTAINER, charity supporter and Maryport stalwart Jean Davidson has died at the age of 87.

Born a twin, she is survived by sister Joan who lives in Australia and whom Jean visited on several occasions.

This week people have paid tribute to Jean who had close connections with Maryport Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society and Maryport Carnival as well as supporting the local Methodist Church.

She knew and was known by everyone and even when she found walking difficult, she would make the daily round trip up and down the steep hill between her Fleming Place home andthe town centre.

Jean worked for Thomas Armstrong for 22 years before moving to the Maryport Urban Authority, which became part of Allerdale council, for another 22 years.

Her niece Josephine Hill said she was reputed to be able to deliver on any request whether it was getting rid of an old sofa or fixing a leaking tap.

Bill Barnes, who worked in the surveyor department at the Maryport Town Hall agreed.

"In those days we did everything from Maryport and she would have handled it all. She was a lovely person to work with."

Derek Hooke, who was chief surveyor, agreed: "She was an obliging lady."

Jean was best known for her work with the MAODS. She was a member for over 60 years and treasurer for 40. She was awarded a diamond pin for services to the society.

John Slater, who served with her, recalled: "She was both on stage and off. When she stopped appearing on stage she took over the front of house and organising bookings.

"She was in Chrissie Patterson's concert party which raised money for the Poppy Appeal and carnival.

"She applied herself to all kinds of things that were for the good of Maryport."

Mrs Hill said her aunt joined the carnival committee when it was revived in the 1970s and remained an active member until 1992 when Mrs Hill's daughter, Caroline, was Retiring Carnival Queen.

"I got involved in everything my aunt did and we both left the committee then."

She spent more than 50 years on the local branch of the Guide Dogs for the Blind association and ran Bingo in the Netherton Band Hall. In the end she was the remaining trustee of the band hall when it sold.

Jean's proudest memory was the day she became a great, great aunt.

Her great-niece Caroline Briscoe gave birth in August 2004 and did not know, until she went into labour, that she was pregnant.

Holly continued to be Jean's "miracle baby" and was the last person she asked for before she died in Solway House, Maryport, last Friday night.