DOZENS of family, friends and former colleagues gathered at Kendal Parish Church this week to say goodbye to Ilene Holloway, a much-loved wife, mum and grandma.

Ilene, 74, passed away at home in Kendal on May 7 after a short illness which began in October.

Norman, her devoted husband of 55 years, gave the eulogy at her funeral, paying tribute to "a person who was greatly loved by everyone".

The retired decorator and signwriter shared his first memory of glimpsing Ilene at one of Kendal's cinemas back in 1959.

"One Saturday, in the queue at the Palladium, I looked around and saw this beautiful young girl (she was only 15 years old) with the brightest smile I had ever seen," he recalled.

"You would all come to know that smile for yourselves, as each of you in turn would have the pleasure of meeting Ilene."

Norman's future wife was born Ilene Deluce on May 19, 1943, to parents Philip and Freda, on Anchorite Road, Kendal - a sister for three-year-old Brian.

Educated at Nether Hall and Kirkland Hall, and at Kendal High School for Girls on Thorny Hills, she began working as a typist for Provincial Insurance Company in 1959.

At a company social event at Kendal Town Hall's assembly room, she was chosen from a dozen young women to be Provincial's "Miss White and Red".

Ilene and Norman married on March 23, 1963, at Kendal Parish Church, following in the footsteps of five generations on the bride's side, going back to 1752.

The couple had two children: Adele, who lives on the Wirral, and Clive, who lives in Kendal. Their four grandchildren are David, Rachel, Charlotte and Joanna. A moving poem about Grandma was written and read out by Joanna at Monday's service.

Norman told the congregation that when he lost his job during a building slump in 1969, Ilene decided to return to the workplace now Adele and Clive were at school.

Among her employers were Townley & Taylor, Powell & Sykes, Hayton & Winkley, Talbot Insurance Brokers and The Westmorland Gazette.

In 2001 Ilene and Norman ventured on their first cruise holiday, to the Caribbean, the start of 25 cruises in 17 years, during which they gained new friends and saw "many wonderful parts of the world".

Reflecting on Ilene's career in his eulogy, Norman said the job Ilene had "most enjoyed" was her typist role at the Gazette - "11 years among the best colleagues she had ever known" - until her retirement in May 2005.

As this newspaper marks its 200th anniversary this week, staff past and present recalled a cherished colleague who made a valued contribution to the newsroom. Ilene's attention to detail shone through on occasions such as GCSE and A-level results days, and agricultural shows.

"She was always cheerful, helpful, hard-working and professional and a great asset to the team," said editor Andrew Thomas.

"When times were hard you could always rely on Ilene to lighten the mood. She was highly thought of and will be greatly missed."