A FORMER Bury Woman of the Year who dedicated her life to her family and the community has died.

Florence Lyons, aged 84, died last Wednesday after a blood clot.

Mrs Lyons was awarded the woman of the year title in 2006 for her work in getting a better deal for the elderly, particularly in health and social care.

But she was involved in many causes, including youth work and helping the homeless.

During the Second World War, Florence joined the Armed Forces, along with her three siblings, as a spotter on an artillery station.

She was sent to Egypt and, after being demobbed, returned to study at college in Edinburgh.

She later moved back to her home town of Bury to be with her sweetheart, Johnny.

The couple were married in 1950 at St Joseph’s Church and went on to have two daughters, Frances and Karen. Johnny died in 1993.

After a career spent mainly working for Bury social services in home care, Florence dedicated her retirement years working as an “older people’s champion” to ensure better benefits for the elderly, especially in health and social care.

She travelled the country as the regional and UK representative for Better Government for Older People, meeting government ministers.

Florence was also a familiar face representing older people for the Bury Environment and Youth Issues Committees, GMPTE Disability Group and the Royal College of Nursing Strategy Group.

She was also a founding member of the Bury Elders’ Forum and vice-chairman of both the Partnership for Positive Ageing and the Public Voice on Policing.

Her daughter Frances Gunn said: “My mum was a member of so many committees and was dedicated to her family. She believed the young and old should work together.

“She made a difference to the people she met, her family of course, but also in a wider sense. She touched a lot of people.”

Mrs Gunn added: “She had a zest for life and had a caring quality maybe because she was born in poverty.”

Mrs Lyons is survived by her two daughters, her son-in-law Grahame and grandchildren, Ewen, aged 29, Niall, aged 28, Katie aged 17, and Daniel, aged 15.

A requiem mass will take place at St Joseph’s RC Church in Bury on Monday, September 7, followed by interment at Bury Cemetery.

A reception will be held at Bury Town Hall.