Well-known town resident dies of stroke (From Warrington Guardian)

Well-known town resident dies of stroke

A WELL-KNOWN town resident has died of a stroke after spending years helping others to cope with the condition.

Mary Hewitt, who was an active member of Knutsford's Stroke Club, died in hospital on Friday.

She was 71.

"It is ironic that she fell to the illness after helping so many stroke sufferers and their families by speaking of her own experiences," said club member Ken Richards.

Mary joined the support group after her husband Harry, who has now moved into Sharston House, had two strokes.

"She had an infectious happiness and was full of ideas," said Mr Richards. "Mary kept us all on our toes." She was born in Southampton and attended a primary school next to an airfield.

The sights and sounds of the old propeller planes ignited her lifelong passion for aircraft.

Two years ago Mary told the Knutsford Guardian that her favourite visitor to Manchester Airport was Concorde.

"It's like a swan in flight," she said.

Mary had moved to Knutsford with her family when she was nine.

She worked at Mobberley Road papermill before marrying Harry in November 1947.

When her two children, Dawn and John, were older she worked for Marie Bailey's lingerie shop in King Street, where she stayed for 35 years.

Mary was a keen charity worker who sold Royal British Legion poppies every year until arthritis made it difficult for her to walk.

But it was her sense of humour that helped her to cope.

"She didn't sit back and moan," said Mr Richards. "She got on with things.

"We are all still shocked that she is gone. Mary will be sadly missed."

Her funeral is at Altrincham Crematorium tomorrow (Thursday) at noon. Flowers or donations to The Stroke Assocation can be sent to funeral director JA Whiston on (01565) 632644.

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