TRIBUTES have been paid to a popular school secretary and animal-lover, who has died.

Doreen Guest (nee Young) passed away peacefully on 15th July 2022.

The 88-year-old was the `beloved partner of the late David Lister, much loved mum of Nick, devoted nana of Alex, Christian and Oliver, loving auntie of Deborah, Gregory and Paul and will be remembered by David’s children, Greg and Elaine.

Grandson Alex said: “My nan was first and foremost an animal lover. She and her partner had dogs most of their lives.

“She had the world’s biggest supply of bird seed and cared for all the wildlife and animals in the garden.

“She enjoyed a laugh and joke and had great one-liners and was very intelligent.

“She was very proud of her family, her children, grandchildren and we had a family Whatsapp group and you had to check on a daily basis day to show you are alright.

“She was very family orientated and cared for us all.”

Alex added that they had enjoyed family holidays to the caravan in Fleetwood as well as other breaks away.

“Both at home and abroad they loved holidays.

“Yorkshire, The Lake District, Scotland were the local ones and then went to Spain and Germany too.”

Doreen was also an antiques collector and it was one of her hobbies.

“She was a hoarder and would go to car boot sales near and far.

“She used to get up at 5am to be the first there and also get the best items.

“She just was an avid collector and the items did not really have to have any value, it was just that she wanted it.”

Alex added that she was also a great cook and the family would go for her ‘excellent homemade chips and would have a great spread of food for everyone.”

Doreen attended junior school in Mossley Common and then went to Walkden Secretarial College and moved to the typing pool at the NCB (National Coal Board).

In the early 1960s she worked at Holy Family RC School in Boothstown then got a job at Fred Longworth School where she stayed for the rest of her working life as a school secretary.

Alex added: “She met lots of people at Fred Longworth School and the room was full at her funeral with people she worked with and kids at the school.

“Her service was also screened around the world to friends and family in South Africa, Spain and Germany.”

Her funeral service took place on August 2 at Howe Bridge Crematorium, Atherton at 1.00pm.

The family were asking for donations to be given to the Royal Bolton Hospital (Ward D3) and if you want more information then contact Unsworth’s Funeral Service, 79 Bolton Road, Atherton. Tel. 01942-877557.