A woman who immersed herself in village life and was affectionately known by residents as “Geordie girl” has died, aged 79.
Marion Turner was born at Low Fell, Gateshead, but fell in love with Threlkeld when she and her husband, Clive, hired a caravan from Margaret and George Hutton, of Setmabanning Farm, almost half a century ago.
They enjoyed the experience so much that they obtained a permanent campsite residence and the couple became regular visitors to the area.
A natural party girl, Marion was a popular participant in village functions over many years, never missing a chance to display her trademark dancing skills.
Contributions to communal tasks in the area were also enthusiastically undertaken and earned her the enduring label “Geordie girl”.
Marion monitored the rain gauges in the Helvellyn area with Kenny Atkinson for a number of years and more recently she was a volunteer at Keswick’s Theatre by the Lake.
She also completed several long distance Lakeland mountain walks to raise money for charities, including Cancer Support.
A turning point in her life came in 2000 when Marion lost her partner, Clive, and retired from her long-time job as an administrator at the University of Newcastle.
In partnership with her future husband, David, a residence in Threlkeld was obtained in 2007 and the static caravan on the farm was sold.
During a round of the Wainwrights, Marion and David were taking lunch on Blake Fell, Loweswater, when it was mentioned that the date was 8/8/2008 and many Chinese people wish to get married on such a date.
In apparent jest, Marion proposed emergency (999) marriage on 9/9/2009. This became reality when an unexpected letter arrived for David in Threlkeld, from the Penrith registrar, confirming the date and demanding £45!
An idyllic honeymoon was spent in the old railway carriages at Glenfinnan station on the West Highland line.
Marion enjoyed a fulfilling life in Threlkeld until the onset of lockdown in March. The wonderful spring weather resulted in daily morning walks and she enjoyed afternoon cycle rides on her new electric bike.
Returning from a trip to Skye at the end of July, Marion had some aches and tiredness but, nevertheless, in early August completed circuits of Skiddaw and Blencathra on her bike.
However, tests and scans gave a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer in mid-September.
After a rapid decline, Marion died on 1st November in the Cumberland Infirmary, Carlisle.
She was an active member of the Gateshead Redheughers ceilidh band who recorded a special tribute during her illness, entitled Marion’s Tune.
Born at Low Fell, Gateshead, Marion lit up all occasions with her good humour and, occasionally inflexible, common sense take on life and she will be sorely missed.
