TRIBUTES have been paid to a 101-year-old woman who was a confectioner.

Dorothy Abbott died peacefully on April 24 at Queens Lodge Nursing Home, Blackburn.

She was the much-loved wife of the late Gerry, mum of Kathleen, a cherished auntie, and sister of the late Harry and Marian.

Dorothy was born in April 1920 in a house on Cabin End Row.

She attended Accrington Road School, leaving at 14 to take up an apprenticeship in confectionery in Clitheroe and by the age of 19 was awarded a first class City and Guilds diploma in flour confectionery.

In 1942, Dorothy married George Robinson, at St. Oswald’s Church, Knuzden but he was tragically killed in the war only 18 months later when he was fighting in Italy. During the time he was away, Dorothy bought her own confectioner’s shop on Johnson Street, Blackburn. Then she met Gerry Abbott from the Devonshire Regiment who was stationed in Whalley and they married on March 2, 1946.

Their daughter Kathleen was born in 1950, and Dorothy and Gerry were both very involved with the life of St Oswald’s Church where they joined the fundraising effort for building the church hall, and were involved with the pledged giving initiative.

The couple lived on Bank Lane, Blackburn and it was Gerry’s home until he died in 1987, and Dorothy’s until she moved to Queen’s Lodge Nursing Home in 2016. Dorothy was a member of the Mother’s Union at St Oswalds.

Rev’d Dr Anne Morris said: “She was in great demand when it came to baking, cooking and kitchen duties’. Dorothy was a woman of great faith. Kathleen’s decision to follow in her mother’s footsteps of faith, brought Dorothy much to rejoice over. Dorothy was a most independent lady. She had a lovely sense of humour and, I never heard her judge, or speak ill of anyone. She had some good friends.”

She died quietly bringing an end to an exceptionally long and meaningful life. Rev Morris said: “(It was a life) that wasn’t without tragedy and upset, but one that was lived in love and faith and hope and joy, and she will be missed.”