GARGRAVE has lost one of its much-loved characters.

Molly Griffiths, 92, had lived in the village all her life and wasn’t afraid to speak her mind.

Born in July 1922, she and her sister, Dorothy, attended the Council School and won scholarships to Skipton Girls’ High School.

Molly enjoyed most subjects but her favourite was music. She would have liked to further her education, but war was looming and she got a job at Johnson and Johnson, manufacturing field dressings. Her first wage was 19s 4d.

When Molly was 21, to help the war effort, she went to work on aircraft engine production in Earby.

She met her husband, Joe, after the war when he came out of the Navy. His family had moved from Durham to Skipton. The couple married in 1949 and lived with Molly’s parents on Airebank Terrace before getting their own council house on Swire Croft Road, where Molly was to spend the rest of her life.

Joe found work at Johnson and Johnson while Molly baked fruit pies and scones by the dozen at The Singing Singers.

In 1950, she gave birth to son David and, in 1956, daughter Julie was born. Molly was kept busy bringing up her children and doing part-time work. She always had a strong Christian faith and attended church whenever she could. She also took part in voluntary activities such as baking for village events.

Her famous biscuits won many prizes at Gargrave Show.Kettle and served behind the counter at Gargrave Bakery.

Molly continued to have a love of music and sang with several choirs, including Gargrave and Grassington In 1972, she became a grandma for the first time and over the next ten years, three more grandchildren came along. In more recent years, she also enjoyed the company of her five great grandchildren.

Joe retired in 1986 and the couple had precious leisure years together until his death in 1993.

Molly enjoyed the outdoors and liked nothing more than tending her garden. However, in latter years, she suffered from rheumatoid arthritis.

Her family said: “She lived a full and happy life and despite her ailments, in true-Molly style was still playing the piano, laughing and cracking jokes right up until the end.”