THE family of a ‘kind and caring’ South Lakeland woman have paid tribute to her after she passed away, at the age of 103.

Carrie Nelson, a three-times great-great grandmother, died peacefully at the Bridge House care home in Flookburgh following a lifetime of hard work, which included four decades dairy farming at Witherslack.

Sarah Clarke, Mrs Nelson’s granddaughter, said: “My grandmother was kind and caring, she never lost her temper. She taught us the value of hard work, and to be proud of our roots.”

Carrie Nelson was born at Kirksanton, near Millom, on November 27, 1913, to her parents John and Caroline Jessie Wilson, and had one sister, Hannah.

From childhood poverty Mrs Nelson entered farm service at the age of 14, working at Whirlpippin in the Whicham Valley and Stangrah, near Bootle, before becoming a maid at Bankfield House, Kirksanton.

She arrived in Witherslack in the early 1930s to work at the Derby Arms pub.

It is where she met her late husband, Harvey, and they got married at the village's St Paul's Church in 1941.

In 1950 the couple started farming at Town End Farm, Witherslack, where they would stay for the next 40 years.

Life on the farm was hard work, and Mrs Nelson’s tasks besides raising the couple's two children, Irene and Harvey Jr, included tending to the animals, cleaning the milking equipment and pumping water.

Mrs Clarke said: “Carrie was philosophical but always down to earth in her day-to-day undertakings. Some days on the farm must’ve looked really bleak but she always went out and did whatever needed to be done.”

A keen cook and baker, Mrs Nelson passed on her enthusiasm to younger generations and her family fondly remembers the treats that she used to make, such as apple pasties.

She also took great pride in dressing smart, wearing her beloved pearls and beads even after moving to the care home at the age of 95.

Mrs Nelson had three grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren.

Rachael Brennand, Mrs Nelson’s granddaughter, said: “I have lots of happy memories of my grandmother. She was very kind, house proud and proud of her family. She will be remembered very fondly by us all.”