TRIBUTES have been paid to a Hexham woman who dedicated over 60 years of her life to the Mothers’ Union.

At 103, Elizabeth James was also one of Tynedale’s oldest residents, having enjoyed life at her home in Priestlands before moving to the town’s Elm Bank Care Home and latterly, Lowgate Nursing Home.

She died on December 18 after a short illness.

Born on January 28, 1913, Elizabeth grew up in Burnhope, County Durham, and went into domestic service after leaving school aged 14.

She moved to Hexham aged 18, to work for a family in the west end of town.

It was on her way to church in Hexham in 1935 that Elizabeth met her future husband, Ernest James, who died in 1994.

Ernest served with the Royal Army Medical Corps during the Second World War.

The couple went on to have three sons, Ernest, Kenneth and the late Raymond.

And it was while her husband was serving abroad that Elizabeth became more and more involved with her local branch of the Mothers’ Union.

Among the initiatives the Hexham branch is involved in is providing emergency hospital bags full of essentials and toiletries for those admitted for an overnight stay.

Members described Elizabeth, who was a much-loved grandmother and great grandmother, as an “inspiration”.

“Elizabeth never lost her sparkle,” said June Olliver, treasurer and acting branch leader of Hexham Mothers’ Union.

“She attended meetings beyond her 100th birthday and then became what we call an indoor member, but still took an active interest in the branch and everyone involved with it.

“She attended what was called the Young Wives Club before she joined the Mothers’ Union, so she had memories of both organisations.

“She was a very special lady.”

Elizabeth’s enrolment card from August 1952 has pride of place in a special book of history about the branch.

Her funeral took place at Hexham Abbey on January 11.