A well-known travel agent who set up her own business in Penrith has died at the age of 78.
Maureen Dixon lost her fight with cancer on February 1, after a long stay in the Cumberland Infirmary.
Maureen was born in Gilsland, but lived in Westerhope, Newcastle, until she married her husband David in 1962.
They moved to Morpeth, where their first son Neil was born; back to Newcastle, where Keith was born; and then South Shields, where daughter Lesley was born.
A few years later, David’s work took them back to Morpeth again and it was there that Maureen started work as a travel agent when the children were of school age.
In 1978, the family moved to Low Hesket and Maureen was employed by Cumbria Travel, before moving to Beacon Travel in Penrith.
Then, in 1982 she opened her own business, Dixon & Watt Travel, in Corn Market , Penrith.
Two years later, due to expansion of the businesses of Dixon & Watt Travel and Dixon & Watt Insurance Brokers, they transferred to shop front premises in Middlegate and remained there until Maureen retired in 1999.
Maureen always loved travelling and shared her experiences with her customers, many of whom considered her to be a friend. She was always cheerful and ready to help with a smile.
During her working career and in retirement, Maureen was a very active member of Soropitimists International.
She was twice president of the Penrith and District group and for many years was group secretary. She travelled all over the country to conferences and made many trips abroad to international meetings.
In retirement, Maureen spent as much time as possible either with her family or telling her friends about them. She was hugely proud of her three children, seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Most of her other spare time, when not on holiday or with the family, was spent at the gym or doing exercise classes. She loved meeting her friends afterwards to talk and have a laugh.
Most weekends she went walking in the countryside she loved with husband David.
Her family and friends will always remember her for her fun-loving zest for life and the madcap things she got up to.
When her name is mentioned in conversation it is usually followed by “do you remember when she did this?” and another tale is told.
Donations in Maureen’s memory were for Macmillan Cancer Support. Walkers Funeral Directors had charge of the arrangements.
A private memorial took place at Penrith Cemetery woodland burial ground last week.
