TRIBUTES have been paid to a Bolton woman who has been described as ‘the life and soul of the party’.

Mavis Helen Wooff bravely battled lung cancer in recent years but died peacefully on September 10 at Bolton Hospice.

The loving mum of Peter, Clive and Lesley was surrounded by her family.

Mavis, from Horwich was also a mother-in-law to Marian, Jackie and Chris and nanna to Sean, Martin, Megan, Holly and Alexander and great nanna to Ryan, Mia, Daniel, Charlotte and Joseph.

The 77-year-old was well-known in Horwich as her husband Les was a compere at the Royal British Legion in the town.

Daughter Lesley said: “She was a character and was born and bred in the town and lived there almost all of her life.

“She moved to Blackpool for 12 years and then returned to her roots in Horwich. She worked in schools around Horwich as a cook.”

She had also been a seamstress and people remember her working in a supermarket in Horwich.

Lesley added: “She loved socialising and going out with my dad.

“She loved dancing and enjoyed being out and about with her friends. She also enjoyed going shopping and especially to the charity shops to buy anything.

“She was always talking with everyone and was so kind.”

Her funeral service is being held today at 10am at Overdale Crematorium West Chapel.

Lesley added they have been comforted by the support of friends and family.

She said: “It has been lovely to getting so many messages about mum. My front room has become a florists with the amount of bouquets we had. It is nice to see how much she meant to everyone. She had a heart of gold and was a bit of a firecracker and wore her heart on her sleeve.

“She was just so funny but was a great mum as you could ring her at any time of the day and night and she would be there.”

Two years ago she was diagnosed with lung cancer and she battled it with radiotherapy despite fracturing her knee before the treatment.

However her family say during the pandemic her scans were delayed and by the time scans were done, the cancer was terminal.

Mavis was cared for at Bolton Hospice in her final days.

Lesley said: “They were amazing with our dad and we could not thank them for helping our mum too and helping the family. She was really comfortable and peaceful and we were so pleased about that.”

Donations in memory of Mavis may be sent for Silver Fox Dog Rescue via www. maviswooff.muchloved.com.