A THANKSGIVING service has been held to celebrate the life of music lover and teacher Kathleen Mills, of Over Kellet.

St James' Parish Church, Burton-in-Kendal, was filled with family and friends paying tribute to her wonderful qualities and passion for music.

The grandmother-of-four was known and loved by many for her work with choirs in north Lancashire and South Lakeland. She died peacefully on November 7, only four months after being diagnosed with a brain tumour.

Mrs Mills, 76, was the accompanist to Lancaster and District Choral Society for 33 years, and led the Arnside and Silverdale choirs and St James' church choir, Burton-in-Kendal. The choral society and Silverdale choir are dedicating their Christmas 2017 concerts to Mrs Mills, and her family hope to set up the Kath Mills Music Foundation in her memory, to help local young musicians.

Born on September 17, 1941 in Reedley Hallows, not far from Burnley, she went to school in Nelson. Aged 16 she met her future husband David at local Christian rallies, and they married in 1963.

Mrs Mills' life centred on her Christian faith. She and her husband built a "happy and fun-filled" family life for their children, Joanne, Katharine and Alastair, and later their grandchildren.

In charge of catering for Boys’ Brigade camps in Devon, Mrs Mills was always first up in the morning and last to bed at night, ensuring a campsite of hungry boys was kept fed and watered.

She taught music in her village school - Wilson’s Endowed CE Primary School, Over Kellet - and also helped the Key Stage 1 children with their reading.

For most of her life, Mrs Mills participated in, accompanied and led choirs, including her 33 years with Lancaster and District Choral Society. She was also a member of the Westmorland Singers, running the choir after the death of Tony Mason-Hornby.

She taught many young people to play the piano at home and, while music was her job, it was also her "great passion". Her family told the Gazette: "The delight she took in helping others appreciate and enjoy music was evident to all those who came into contact with her, particularly when that music told of how great her God was."

Mr and Mrs Mills enjoyed travelling the world to far-flung places such as China, Greenland and New Zealand. A favourite destination was Lake Louise in the Canadian Rockies; only this year, they were there skiing in -20°C.

The family say they have been "overwhelmed by love and support" from people whose lives Mrs Mills touched, with this tribute typical of the many received: "Kath was such a lovely lady, so warm and welcoming, with a wisdom that comes from God. We are grateful that she was a part of our family’s life for so long."

Mrs Mills is survived by her husband, David, her three children and four grandchildren.