THE family of an elderly Kendal couple at the centre of a murder-suicide investigation have paid tribute to a ‘loving and happy couple’.

Stanley Wilson, 92, and his wife, 89-year-old Peggie Wilson, were found dead in their home in Mint Dale, Kendal, at around 7.40pm on Friday, one day after Mr Wilson had been discharged from Royal Lancaster Infirmary.

Mr Wilson’s son, Graham Wilson and his wife Barbara, along with Peggie’s stepdaughter Sandra Smith and her husband Ralph Smith have paid tribute to them.

In a statement “We are all very sad at the loss of Stan and Peggie.

"They were a loving and happy couple with many friends and we hope that people will remember them for the happy lives they led, Stan with his bowling and Peggie for her love of scrabble, painting and needlework.”

A police investigation is ongoing into the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

Post-mortem examinations established that Stanley Wilson killed his wife before taking his own life.

The coroner has been informed and inquests will open in due course.

This week flowers were left at the door of the couple’s home and the cheery ‘welcome’ sign on the porch is now a solemn reminder of a friendly couple who always had a smile for people they met in the street.

In Burton-in-Kendal, where Mrs Wilson was born, close friends from Vicarage Lane were too upset to be interviewed but described her as a ‘very well-liked person who was good to her neighbours’.

A family statement paid tribute to the couple.

“We are all very sad at the loss of Stan and Peggie.

"They were a loving and happy couple with many friends and we hope that people will remember them for the happy lives they led, Stan with his bowling and Peggie for her love of Scrabble, painting and needlework.”

Stunned Mint Dale residents spoke of a 'devoted couple' who were ‘very much in love’.

Neighbour Jamie Close said: "They were both so friendly.

"They were always waving at you when they walked past and would stop to talk.

"It has shaken people up. It is such a quiet area. Everyone is so friendly. It is the last place I would expect this to happen.

Mr Wilson, an ex-quarry-man, from Ambleside, was previously married to the late Annie Wilson, and had lived in Mint Dale for more than 25 years.

They had three sons, four grand-children and three great grandchildren.

One of Mr Wilson’s sons, Maurice, lost his life in a motorbike accident while taking racing in Northern Ireland in May 2004.

Maurice's widow Rita, of Low Garth, said she and her two children, Ian and Carole, were ‘very shocked’ by the news.

"They were such a happy couple, I last saw them at Stan's 90th, we had a party for him at the Duke of Cumberland,” she said.

Mr Wilson married Peggie 12 years ago in a quiet ceremony at Kendal Register Office. She was a former teacher who taught in Liverpool before returning to Burton-in-Kendal in 1962, where she lived until her marriage.

She was an active member on the committee of Burton-in-Kendal’s now-disbanded Over-60s Club.

In Kendal, the couple were often at The Beck Community Centre and were members of Castle Street Seniors Group.