By Margaret Crosby

Last updated at 11:26, Thursday, 16 August 2012

REPRESENTATIVES of West Cumbria magistrates courts system will join family and friends of Liz Appleyard to say their final farewells at her funeral service being held at St John’s Church, Beckermet tomorrow (Friday) at noon.

Liz Appleyard

Liz, 59, had been employed as a court usher at Whitehaven’s Catherine Street courthouse for 25 years before transferring to Workington when the Whitehaven court was shut down last June.

She kept the court system running like clockwork, dealing with magistrates, court clerks, solicitors, the probation service, witnesses and, over the years, thousands of offenders.

After a spell at Freeman Hospital, she died at West Cumberland Hospital, from cancer, diagnosed only four weeks previous. She was held in great affection by her friends and colleagues who were shocked to hear of her sudden passing.

Solicitor Neil Pilling said: “We were all devastated to hear about Liz and will greatly miss her good humoured presence at court. Our heartfelt sympathies are extended to her family.’’ Former probation officer and good friend, Susan Connor said: “Liz and I started work about the same time at the courts and hit it off right away. We had remained good friends for 25 years and met socially for nights out and celebrations. She was a good friend, very kind hearted and fun to work with. I will miss her very much.”

Her husband, Bill died three years ago.

The couple lived at Oaklands, Beckermet, having moved there when Bill came out of the Army in the early 1980s. He had served for 23 years with the Royal Engineers and Army wife Liz and their two daughters, Dawn and Michelle, had lived in Hong Kong, Thailand and Germany during Bill’s various postings.

Michelle, who now lives with her husband and children in Dubai, had been born in Rinteln, Germany and Dawn at Woolwich, London. Liz had doted on her grandchildren Meera, seven, and Jack, 10.

“She was a wonderful mum. We had a great childhood; our parents showed us the world and were so supportive as we grew older,’’ said Dawn, who has taken on the care of Liz’s pet dog Mouse, a cocker spaniel.

Liz hailed from Tynemouth where she met Bill, a Scot, who was living in South Shields. When he left the army Bill got a job with Readymix Concrete and later became a supervisor for Hanson Concrete Co at Bigrigg.

First published at 11:05, Thursday, 16 August 2012
Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk