MADAM Edith Norcross, one of Bolton's best-loved musical celebrities, has died at the age of 93.

After being taken to hospital on Tuesday, Madam Edith (she took the courtesy title when she married her late husband Billy Yates) died peacefully on Saturday.

The funeral is on September 22 at 2.30 pm at Overdale.

After retiring at the age of 90, Madam Edith left her Smithills home to live with friends, Brian and Irene Rollinson, at Oakham, Leicestershire.

When I saw her just before she left she played the piano for me and showed that she had lost none of her skill despite the fact that she had not been able to play for some time previously because of a stroke.

An associate of Trinity College, London, Madam Edith taught hundreds of pupils, many of whom went on to become professional musicians. Until the age of 80, she had a studio in Bradshawgate, Bolton.

Madam Edith started teaching at the age of 15 and she became an accomplished and much sought after accompanist. She had a selfless attitude to being an accompanist.

"Some accompanists like to take over. I believe the singer and the pianist should work together and be as one," she said.

It was an attitude which endeared her to many world famous singers. When she celebrated her 90th birthday in Leicestershire, 709 Boltonians were among the guests.

The Bolton contingent included members and former members of Opera 74, New Rosemere AOS, Bolton Operatic Society and the Soroptomists.

During his birthday tribute to her, Reg Parry, from Bolton, said Madam Edith had "enthralled, enthused encouraged and inspired" people to attain high achievements.

That comment makes a fitting epitaph for a woman who was loved, admired and respected by many.

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