A MUCH-loved woman described as one of Westhoughton’s “finest ladies” has died aged 93.

Cecelia Kilcoyne peacefully passed away at home on Saturday evening.

Known to many as Auntie Cecelia, the local legend became very popular after her time as the owner of the cafe in Westhoughton’s Central Park.

Relative Liam Barlow said: “So many people in Westhoughton knew her from her time at the cafe in the park.

“She was always out socialising, you could find her singing karaoke in the Grey Mare – even in her late 70s.

“She would do anything for anyone, I went round to see her once and the window cleaners were sat inside watching TV and eating a meal she made for them. She was one of Howfen’s finest ladies.”

Miss Kilcoyne lived in Central Drive with her parents for many years, inheriting the house from them after their deaths.

She never married and had no children of her own, but was close to Liam as his grandmother's cousin, his sister Siobhan, and their mum.

The family were always happy to spend time together, and before moving into Mill View Care Home, she would spend every Christmas with the family, with the siblings heading over on Mother’s Day to see her.

She has other family members, but the Barlow family were very close with her because of their nearby location.

Mr Barlow added: “She did a lot of charity work, making oil paintings to sell off and doing walks for charity.

“Nothing was too much for her, when she baked she’d drop cakes off at the bank, with the doctor, she was always doing a lot for other people.

“She used to dress up as Father Christmas every year to give chocolate out.

“She had a loving and fun-packed life, and she was a huge people person and because of covid she’s been on her own over the last few months because we couldn’t go to see her.

“All the staff at Mill View have been fantastic, they’ve been so good to her.

“It’s a shame she can’t have the funeral she deserves. The church and all of Westhoughton should be packed for her.”

Miss Kilcoyne painted landscapes of many nearby areas, but particularly enjoyed capturing Rivington in her creations.

Many of her pieces were auctioned off for charity.