Tributes have been paid to a well-known, “strong-willed” Maryport grandmother who has passed away.

Mary Gibson, formerly Major, née McKay, was most known for working in Maryport Town Hall in later life.

She sadly passed away on May 19 at Newlands Care Centre, Workington.

Mary, who was 74, was born and brought up in Maryport and attended schools in the town.

She left school at 15 and had a whole host of jobs which included working at Woolworths, as a shorthand typist at Paul Greens spectacle factory, a secretary at Jos Brew’s wholesale grocers, at Jack Matthews betting shop, Townhouse Cafe, Scottish Legal Insurance and latterly at the Town Hall.

Mary married in 1966, giving birth to her first child Gillian in 1970. Mary’s second child Glyn was born seven years later.

In the early 1980s Mary’s life took a different path and she reconnected with Jack, whom she went on to marry in 1984.

Mary and Jack lived a full life together, moving to Haydock for two years while Jack was in the police. However, they were quickly drawn back to their Cumbrian roots returning in 1986 when they purchased The Kildare Hotel, Wigton, which they ran for two years.

Mary was a perfect fit for working in a bar and hotel. Her boisterous attitude and ability to talk to anyone and everyone made her a hit with all the regulars.

The pull of Maryport proved too much for both Mary and Jack and they moved back in 1988, first buying a house in North Street.

Mary loved the view of the sea which is why they bought their “Castle on the Hill” in 1992, living there for the remainder of her life.

Mary has five grandchildren. Anyone who ever met her could quickly see how proud she was of them.

She loved to tell anyone who would listen about her granddaughter, Michaela the architect and Melissa the journalist - both Gillian’s children.

You could also see the pride in Mary’s face when telling people about her grandson Jake, who was in the Army, or granddaughter, Charlotte, who was going to become a teacher, and Morgan, who is just starting out in her working life - all Glyn’s children.

Mary was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2003, but she didn’t let this stop her from living life to the full.

She was an active member of a Parkinson’s group in the area up until she was admitted into hospital in November last year.

Mary is survived by her husband Jack, daughter Gillian and son Glyn, daughter-in-law Kim and grandchildren Michaela, Melissa, Jake, Charlotte, and Morgan.

A private funeral will be held at Distington Crematorium in June with plans to hold a memorial service at a later date at All Souls’ Church, Netherton.