THE family of a Settle woman has paid tribute to her legacy of love and kindness.

Ann Fawcett was born in Settle and was one of five children (Joan, Edward, Billy and Freda). Her parents Albert and Winniefred Bush met while nursing at Castlebergh hospital, in Giggleswick.

The family lived in a small cottage at Stackhouse Lane, in Settle, and although money was tight she talked of a happy childhood and loving parents.

Daughter Cynthia, herself one of five, said: “She would tell us how they used to borrow the scouts tents to go on holiday to the seaside and how they would tread for fish for their tea. She spoke of her father making toys for Christmas and the hard winters when they would walk on the wall tops to school.

“She remembered her sister, Joan, being in the fever hospital at Austwick and her father walking from Settle to see her through the window as he wasn’t allowed in.

“My mother spent three years in Leeds studying to be a nurse where she met her husband. She returned to Settle where she had five girls: Sandra, Cynthia, Christine, Carol and Elizabeth.

“Like my mother’s childhood we never had much money and our mother often went without to provide for us. However, I have many happy memories spending all day swimming and playing with our cousins in the river while our mother and auntie Dot sat knitting. I remember her packing a picnic and taking us for long walks up to the giant’s pudding dish and to Stainforth foss often when she had finished a night shift and had no sleep. I remember her great sense of humour like when we sledged down the hill on our upturned coffee table, each of us holding on to a leg. She tried to be cross but then burst out laughing.

“As we grow older and had children of our own our mother remained at the heart of the family. One by one she helped care for her grandchildren. She never lost that sense of fun and mischief and I often caught her in the centre of a water fight or leap frogging in the park with my girls.

When she retired from her role as a carer at a local nursing home, she volunteered for age concern.

After suffering several small strokes she moved to Limestone View in Settle. The support and care she received was second to none.

“My mother passed away on April 3 after contracting coronavirus. She left a legacy of love and kindness that will live on through her children and her grandchildren.