A FORMER captain of Lancashire Ladies golf team has died aged 82.

Eileen Summersgill, of Whitehall Road, Revidge, was a well-known figure in the Lancashire golfing circle, having also been ladies secretary of Blackburn Golf Club.

Described by her family as ‘tough as old boots’, Eileen was brought up in Carrington Avenue, Ewood, and attended Bartholomew Primary School, St Hilda’s secondary school, and Blackburn Technical College before starting work at Bancroft Shuttles at Intack, where she met her husband Harry.

She then trained as a teacher and worked at Witton Park High School for Girls, Edmund Arrowsmith, and Blackburn College, teaching commerce, English, and secretarial studies.

Son Neil Summersgill said after retiring, she kept herself busy with her four grandchildren, gardening, travel, and was a former member of the Mothers Union at St Gabriel’s church, Brownhill, and latterly St James, Blackburn.

She was also an active WRVS volunteer, delivering meals on wheels, as well as helping Harry in the family textile business.

Neil said: “She was a remarkably unselfish woman, uncomplaining and tough as old boots, forever aware that life was for living to the full.”

She had previously recovered from throat cancer in 1982, and died at home after a battle with Alzheimers.