Last updated at 12:27, Friday, 21 September 2012

Margaret Young, a former teacher and ex-mayoress of Workington, has died at the age of 92.

Born on June 21, 1920 to Andrew and Margaret Young, she was the second of six children.

She attended Workington Grammar School before heading to Sunderland Training College in 1938 to become a teacher.

Having left the college in 1940, she spent a year teaching in Longtown and a year working in Aspatria before returning to Workington.

There she worked at both the old and current Westfield schools, Northside and Victoria schools.

Her family believe she may have also spent time working at Ashfield Infant School.

She spent several decades with the Red Cross in Workington, serving as treasurer, and was involved in making bandages during World War Two.

Miss Young, known to her family as Meg, worshipped at gospel hall on Cross Street, Moss Bay, did some preaching and led a Christian youth group.

She learned to drive and would ferry around her father, a founding member of the Working Men’s Mutual Aid Society, to drop off grants across West Cumberland.

Her father became mayor of Workington in 1961, two years after her mother died, and she became his mayoress.

The pair, who then lived in Mason Street, were together again a couple of years later when Miss Young accompanied her father to Buckingham Palace where he was awarded an MBE.

Her brother Jimmy, of Seaton, said: “She was very small. We used to pull her leg and tell her to put some manure in her shoes.

“She was quiet but she voiced her opinions in a quiet way. Her mind was the strongest part about her. If you wanted to know any dates we’d ask Margaret because she’d know.

“She was just a loving sister, always grateful for what people did for her.”

His son Rob described his aunt as a loving, helpful woman always willing to put herself out to help others.

He added: “I can always remember Auntie Meg in the kitchen working away. She wouldn’t hesitate to help you out. She was up for a joke as well.”

Miss Young lived at Cavendish Court until almost six years ago when she moved to Emmaus House care home at Moresby Parks, near Whitehaven.

She died on Sunday and is survived by her brother Jimmy, sister Mary, three nieces, three nephews and several great nieces and nephews.

Her funeral will be held at 1.30pm today at the gospel hall on Cross Street, Moss Bay, Workington, followed by interment at Salterbeck Cemetery.

Donations in Miss Young’s memory can be made to Emmaus House via funeral director John Sandelands.

First published at 11:51, Friday, 21 September 2012
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk