Hundreds of tributes have been paid to Cheswardine stalwart Winnie Goodwin MBE who lost her on-going battle with cancer this week.
Hugely popular Winnie, 63, died in the early hours of Tuesday morning in the Severn Hospice in Telford. Her husband Ray and sisters Erica and Angela were by her side.
Winnie was diagnosed with ovarian cancer last October for which she underwent six rounds of chemotherapy.
She received the MBE in May 2004 for her work with Cheswardine in Bloom and fundraising for charities including Hope House Children’s Hospice, Macmillan Cancer Support and Children in Need.
She was also secretary of Cheswardine Village Hall and played a role in the villages Rainbow and Brownie groups.
Her sister-in-law, Jane Moore said: “I think both Cheswardine and Market Drayton are in shock because Winnie was so well known and such a big part of the community.
“She was always thinking of others before herself and is an inspiration to everyone.
“She was a wonderful lady – she was my sister-in-law and she was a great friend. She was always smiling and everyone would come to her for advice.
“She will be missed by so many people.”
Her husband, Ray said: “We were married for 37 years and I would just like to say what a wonderful wife she was. She was always doing things for other people and would help anyone that she could.”
A facebook group titled “In loving memory of Winnie” has been launched and a book of condolence will be placed in St Swithun’s Church in Cheswardine.
And Winnie received a celebrity tribute from Nicky Byrne from Westlife who, on social networking site twitter, said: “Hey Winnie hope you are doing okay. We are all thinking of you, stay strong and take care.”
Her daughter, Emma said: “Mum was a huge Westlife fan and always said she would love to see them again so we think Nicky contacting her is lovely.
“We are a very close family and she was always there to help me whenever I needed her. She was always desperate to have a grandchild – my daughter Ebony is only two and she was really chuffed to be able to spend lots of time with her.”
Winnie’s funeral will take place at St Swithun’s Church in Cheswardine, next Friday, August 6 at 2pm. Anyone hoping to attend can park at the Fox and Hounds, the Arrowsmiths, the Red Lion or at Cheswardine Parish Hall.
By Joseph Masi
