THE funeral of Muriel Chapman was held at St. John’s Church, Garrigill.

She is survived by her two daughters, Lindis and Rosemary, and granddaughter Ellie.

Muriel was born in 1922 in Bury, Lancashire, and won a scholarship to Bury Girls’ Grammar School. She trained as a telephonist at Manchester Exchange, quickly rising to the post of supervisor, in which capacity she trained people from the armed forces during the war.

She met her husband, Ron, who was stationed nearby, and they were together for more than 60 years until he died five years ago.

The couple moved to Garrigill after retiring from running an antiques shop in County Durham. After her husband’s death, Muriel moved to a cottage in Alston where she was very happy and involved in the community, while still teaching speech and drama, helping pupils gain places at drama schools and university. She was also a keen member of the women’s group at Garrigill and of Alston WI.