A CUMBRIAN Woman of the Year nominee and a friendly face welcoming visitors to the family nursery has died at the age of 73.
Carol James, from Mawbray, who has suffered from Multiple Sclerosis fo 40 years, never complained about her fate and continued to offer help and support to others whenever she could.
In 2013, thanks to an all-terrain wheelchair, Carol was able to o to the beach to take part in the Silloth half marathon.
She spoke, on that occasion, of the joy of being back on the beach. about
The family's Bank Mill Nursery at Beckfoot is just yards away from the beach but her illness meant she was unable to access it.
Carol was a school teacher before the MS her into retirement. She taught in the infant departments AT Our Lady & St Patrick's and at Flimby and Holme Cuthbert.
Her daughter, Melanie, said she really missed teaching but again, accepted her lot with little complaint.
Carl was nominated for the Cumbria Woman of the Year award in 2001 in recognition of the fundraising she did for the Multiple Sclerosis Society and for her involvement in her community.
That included a long association with the Mawbray Players, who held a popular annual pantomime. As well as serving where needed, she was usually the prompt for the shows.
Carol and her husband Bill have owned and run Bank Mill Nurseries for many years and, despite her worsening condition, Carol was fully involved.
In fact, she was often the first face visitors saw, sitting behind the reception table with a dog at her feet and a parrot by her side.
The couple's only daughter, Melanie, had a passion for sick animals and rescues anything brought to her.
She has taken over much of the nursery building and has even given animals shelter in her parents' home.
"She was a great mother - inspirational- and while it must sometimes have been difficult, she has supported me in everything and taught me never to give up."
Carol is survived by Bill and Melanie.
A funeral service will be held at Holme St Cuthbert's Church at 11.45 on Wednesday, February 8, followed by a service at Distington Hall Crematorium.
Instead of flowers, donations can be made to Melanie's animal charity, Ani-Mel Haven.
Those attending are also asked to wear a splash of red to remember Carol's love of poppies.
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