TRIBUTES have been paid to a former Mayoress of Barnsley who died after contracting coronavirus.
Angela Margaret Whittaker, 81, was a much-loved member of the community in Grimethorpe along with her husband, former Mayor of Barnsley and councillor Arthur.
The former mayoress, who went by Margaret, had been in Cherry Trees Care Home, Monk Bretton, before testing positive for Covid-19 on May 23 and dying a week later.
Granddaughter Kate Clarke thanked staff at the home for the care they provided to ‘family lady’ Margaret. “The staff were brilliant,” said Kate, 22.
“We’d like to pass on our thanks.
“She was a lovely, caring woman who always had a smile on her face.
“I’ll always remember her singing - she loved to sing.
“Her family meant the world to her.”
When Arthur became mayor in 2000, Margaret was ‘very supportive’ of him, and the two became pillars of the community in Grimethorpe.
“They got married in 1960 and never left each other’s side,” added Kate.
The family will walk through the village’s streets behind a horse-drawn hearse, starting at Stacey Crescent, before Margaret’s funeral on June 18.
Margaret leaves husband Arthur, two daughters, six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
