TRIBUTES have been paid to a former mayoress of Blackburn who has died aged 92.
Edith Gorton was the town’s first lady from 1980 to 1981 as the wife of long-serving councillor Frank Gorton.
The couple met at Queen’s Park hospital, Blackburn, where Mrs Gorton worked as a nurse.
During her tenure as mayoress she raised money for new beds at the hospital - as well as securing an invitation to a Buckingham Palace garden party.
Daughter Eileen said: “She loved her year as mayoress.
"She was extremely proud for my dad and extremely proud for the town.”
Well into her 70s and 80s Mrs Gorton, who lived at Morecambe Road, Highercroft before moving to Magdalene House residential care home, ran a senior citizens’ club at Roman Road community centre.
Family friend and Audley councillor Yusuf Jan-Virmani praised her voluntary work supporting older people.
He added: “She was brilliant as mayoress and was very involved in a lot of things.”
Mr Gorton, who represented Little Harwood ward for the Labour party for 46 years, was Blackburn’s longest-serving councillor.
More than 120 people including Blackburn MP Jack Straw came to pay their tributes at his funeral at Blackburn Cathedral in February 2007.
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