The many friends she made through her business and busy social life were saddened to learn of the death of Maureen Armstrong, from Plumpton, aged 86.
Born and raised in Maryport, Maureen was the oldest of the three daughters of the late Doris and George Wilson. Her sisters were Sally and Joyce.
The young Maureen attended Cockermouth Grammar School after passing the 11-plus exam.
It was in 1955 that she met and married Henry Armstrong, with the couple at first living in Kendal. They went on to have three children, Lorna, Kate and Sarah.
The family moved to Armathwaite when Henry returned to work in the family firm, Isaac Armstrong and Sons.
Maureen played an active role in the local community, including by joining the Mothers’ Union. She was secretary for the Penrith RSPCA branch for more than 30 years and collected money for the charity on a regular basis.
The family went on to make their home in Plumpton. Maureen played badminton at Lazonby, up to county level, and squash.
A very busy and active person, she also enjoyed swimming, and was still doing so last summer at Hunsonby’s village pool and in Ullswater.
She opened Maureen’s Fashions in Sandgate, Penrith, in 1973, and the business went on to thrive. She developed a love of fashion and her shop became a real destination for those looking for clothing for special occasions or something a little bit different.
She expanded to open another shop in Cockermouth, and former customers still reminisce about what these outlets had to offer.
During these years Maureen organised fashion shows all over Eden and further afield, raising money for many good causes in the process — including village hall funds, the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution, Hospice at Home and Cancer Research, to name but a few. These events were all good fun and she roped in many of her friends to act as models.
A friendly and kind person, she made many friends through her work, Penrith Rotary Club, the Inner Wheel and the town’s chamber of trade. She would light up any room she entered and was always willing to help people she met.
Maureen loved to go on holiday and she and Henry travelled extensively, visiting destinations including the Caribbean, America and mainland Europe, as well as Scotland.
She was a fierce bridge player, with her competitive nature coming out as she played three times a week at the club in Carlisle.
Her seven grandchildren were the light of her life and she loved them dearly. She also had one great-grandchild.
She had poor health throughout most of her later years, but this did not stop her from going out and achieving what she wanted to do, whether this was enjoying a lunch, shopping or a holiday somewhere — she did not let anything get her down and was a real force of nature.
Henry died in 2017 and Maureen is survived by her daughters Sarah Greenop, of Langwathby, Lorna Eales, of Essex, and Kate James, Inverness; sister Sally Broadhead, Cockermouth; niece Elizabeth Donlon, Cheshire; brother-in-law Geoff and nieces and nephews in America; and her seven grandchildren and great-grandchild.
The service was held at High Hesket Church. Walkers Funeral Directors, Penrith, had charge of the arrangements.
