Margaret Elizabeth Woolley – Betty

Betty passed away on Saturday 15th June 2024, peacefully in Furness General Hospital, aged 95 years of Barngarth, Cartmel, formerly of Heather Cottage, Pleasington.  The dearly loved and loving wife of Gordon, loving mum of Nigel and Jane, also a devoted grandma and great grandma.

Betty and Gordon were blessed with a wonderful marriage that spanned an incredible 71 years. Betty, before her marriage, worked in a bank. However, when married, the bank dispensed of her services. Their life together was a memorable journey, filled with shared dreams, family love and unwavering support for one another. Their initial life together was demanding and, as the years went by, Gordon’s business life gathered momentum, always with Betty’s wholehearted support. The first time Betty heard about Gordon was when the Bradshaw and Woolley families were in an Isle of Man hotel together and gordon’s mother, Eileen said, “I am worried about Gordon – he is caught up in the Russian blockade of Berlin in the Army Education Corps, teaching, and food is short”. Gordon always remembers the first time he met Betty at his brother Ken’s 21st birthday party. She was wearing a most beautiful silk dress from materials manufactured by her father, making wartime parachutes. Betty was also a real beauty.  Heather Cottage was more than just their home for forty years, it was the heart of their family, where the children enjoyed an ideal childhood. Betty was a vibrant and active member of the Pleasington community, and a longstanding member of Pleasington Golf Club, where she played golf and enjoyed the social aspect of Bridge. She much enjoyed flower arranging and went to Constance Spry School of Flower Arranging in London with her daughter Jane. Betty also arranged flowers in Blackburn Cathedral. She was a former president of Blackburn Branch Inner Wheel, re-elected for two years in succession. A cherished friend for many, always ready with a warm smile and a kind word, she had a real sense of community. Her warm and outgoing nature made her very popular with all she met up with. Betty always put her family to the forefront  – son Nigel and daughter Jane, grandchildren Kate, Robert, Miles, Phoebe and Lydia, great grandchildren, Theodora, Charlie, Allassandro, Otto and Leon. She also had a strong family bond with brother John, sister Janet and late brother Jeff.

Donations are being gratefully received in lieu of flowers, in memory of Betty on behalf of Dementia research UK.  To make a donation please click the blue donate button at the bottom of this page.

Please feel free to leave a message for Betty’s online memorial book by completing the form below.

 

Don Fraser-Clark

Very sad to hear of Betty’s death. A beautiful lady in all ways.

 

Judy Banister

Very saddened to hear of Betty’s death – a lovely person

 

Anne Bancroft

Happy memories of Happy Birthday Parties enjoyed at Heather Cottage.

 

Judy Cronshaw

Fondest Memories.A good friend