An Eden woman who was awarded an MBE in the 2011 New Year’s honours list for services to the community has died, aged 93.
Rosanna “Rosie” Lightfoot, of Gillside Farm, Glenridding, was extremely well-known in the village and was a hardworking member of a number of organisations.
She was chairman of Glenridding village hall for a number of years, secretary of the women’s section of the Ullswater branch of the Royal British Legion, a member of Glenridding Social Club and a member of the parochial church council at St Patrick’s Parish Church, Patterdale.
She was also a member of Patterdale Parish Council for many years and the Glenridding-based Jubilee Singers.
Born at Sandwick in Martindale, to Jack and Diana Burrell, the family moved to Hartsop when Rosie was very young and then to Deepdale. She had two sisters, Betty and Sheila, and a brother, John, who died in 2018.
Rosie was educated at Patterdale School which she left aged 14 and started work at the village post office, making rations up and serving petrol.
She was married to Geoff at St Patrick’s in 1949. Geoff worked for his uncle at Home Farm, in Patterdale, and the couple started their married life at Grassthwaite How.
Five years later they bought Gillside Farm and, as well as looking after a flock of sheep, established a dairy herd from which they were able to develop a milk round.
The couple had four children — Ann, Peter, Robin and Mary.
In 1963-64 they diversified into camping and caravanning which continues to be a successful business.
Geoff died in a road traffic accident in 1967.
Her daughter Mary described Rosie as being “very friendly” and someone who was “always talking to people”.
“She always had time for people,” said Mary. “She was always writing letters.
“There are people who have come back camping, whom she has booked in over the years, who are now bringing their grandchildren back. They were all pleased to see her.”
Rosie enjoyed holidays abroad and bus tours across Britain and got a great deal of pleasure from her 14 great-grandchildren and seven grandchildren.
Her funeral service took place at St Patrick’s Church on Tuesday afternoon and was taken by priest Morris Rodham.
Part of the service was held indoors and a limited number of people were allowed into the church but it then moved outdoors where a large, socially distanced crowd was able to pay respects to a much-loved woman.
