JEAN Myers died peacefully at home in Gargrave on Saturday, the day after her 90th birthday with her children Alison and Simon by her side.

Born in Clitheroe, the daughter of an antique dealer, cabinet maker and JP, JC Smith, she attended Blackburn Convent run by the Sisters of Notre Dame. After qualifying as a teacher, she returned to the convent to teach. In 1953 she met Harry Myers when visiting his antiques shop in Coach Street, Skipton. They were married three months later.

Mrs Myers was actively involved in The Girl Guides and was a County Commissioner for many years. She lectured on the Fine Arts for Craven College and for The Arts Society, was involved in the antiques business, was a keen Soroptimist, and a former president. She was involved in many organisations and charities in Skipton and further afield, raising money for St Gemma’s Hospice and was a secretary of the Mother Teresa Charity set up by Janet Tempest, of Broughton Hall. She was a governor of Skipton Girls High School from 1987 to 1998, including serving as chairman for 10 years.

She ran Myers Antiques successfully on her own for 30 years following her husband's death, and made some great discoveries including a piece by Thomas Chippendale now owned by the Chippendale Society which bought it in memory of the great Chippendale Scholar Christopher Gilbert, and which featured in last year’s Chippendale tercentenary Exhibition.

A devoted Catholic for all her life she played an active roll in St Stephen’s Parish in Skipton. She was the first lay Chairman of the Parochial Council and the first woman to read the lessons from the altar. When she moved to Gargrave following the death of Harry in 1984 she provided the Catholic community with a chapel where mass could be celebrated every week. She loved Gargrave and made many good friends and was the recipient of much kindness from so many as her health deteriorated in her last few months.

The most capable of people, strong and determined, she got things done. Never short of sound advice, whether the recipient wanted it or not. A good and kind friend to many and always with time for the young.

And despite all that, a devoted mother, grand mother and great grand mother.

Her Requiem Mass will take place at St Stephen’s Skipton at 11 am on Saturday (February 23) followed by her interment in the graveyard next to her beloved Harry.