TRIBUTES have been paid to a stalwart of Blackburn’s theatre scene after her death at the age of 93.

Jean Mellilieu, formerly of Crosshill Road, was the honorary president of Blackburn Thwaites Empire Theatre.

Her contribution in securing the future of the Bolton Road venue has been recognised by friends and supporters at the Thwaites Empire.

And her longstanding support of the arts in general, as a founder member of the Blackburn Gilbert and Sullivan Society, has also been highlighted.

She died peacefully in hospital on Thursday, November 10, having lived latterly at Longworth House nursing home in Mellor.

Theatre trust chairman, Michael Berry, said: “She was very dear lady, who had been on our board for a long time, looking after the theatre’s interests, before we decided to make her president.

“Before that she had been with the Gilbert and Sullivan Society, performing with them before later acting as an invaluable prompt.

“She was a lovely lady who served us well and will be sadly missed.”

Margaret Greenhalgh, a fellow G&S mainstay and now a theatre box office volunteer, said: “She was one of the founder members of the Gilbert and Sullivan Society and was part of the shows for quite a long time, before taking on the role of prompt.

“She was ever such a nice lady and I was saddened to hear that she had passed away. I believe she was originally from Penrith and she used to talk about being in the services and being based at Nottingham Castle during the Second World War.”

Jean, a grandmother and great-grandmother, leaves a son, Tony, and daughters Lynda and Shirley.

Her funeral service is set to take place at Pleasington Crematorium on Wednesday (Nov23) from 12.15pm and a wake is planned at the theatre afterwards.

Family flowers only have been requested, through funeral directors Waring McKenna, but donations can be made to either the Royal British Legion, Royal National Institute for the Blind or Cancer Research UK.