MARION Makeniry was a woman whose heart was always in the right place.

And this week Wigan Youth Service paid tribute to the youth worker from their Atherton and Tyldesley team, who died last week after a short illness.

Animal lover Marion worked as a detached youth worker for six years, and though most of her work was concentrated around the Atherton and Tyldesley area she also operated regularly in the Lowton and Golborne district.

Ray Kinsey, senior youth worker, said: "Marion was a highly respected member of staff and was always known for having the best interests of the young people at heart.

"She was as popular with the staff as she was with the young people she came into contact with.

"She will be sadly missed by her colleagues across the borough."

Pete Blackwood, Wigan Youth Service Co-ordinator for Atherton and Tyldesley, added that Marion was a very skilled detached youth worker.

He said she always had a good rapport with young people, and brought her experiences from her day job as a drugs counsellor into her work.

He added: "Her heart was always in the right place."

Julie Hilling, Youth service co-ordinator for Lowton and Golborne, said: "She was very hard working and particularly good in one-to-one situations around difficult issues like drugs."

The funeral took place on Friday at Wigan Crematorium.

A request was made for donations to be sent to the Redwings Horse Sanctuary.

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