THE Captain of Burnley Golf Club Ladies team has paid tribute to a fellow player who died suddenly, describing her as "a woman who lived life to the full".

Joan Greenwood, 75, of Glen View Road, tragically died while in Towneley Park, on Friday, June 28.

She had been playing crown green bowls for an hour with friends before she passed-away.

Close friend Catherine Briggs, the club's ladies team captain, said Joan would be well remembered for her active life and would be sadly missed by family and friends, including daughter Diana, son Timothy and her seven grandchildren, Emma, Georgina, Nicola, Michael, Nichola, Anna and Paul.

Catherine said: "She was immensely proud of all her family's achievements and took great pleasure in all the activities they pursued.

"She had an alert and active mind and a wicked sense of humour which all her friends and family relished. There was never a dull moment with Joan."

A member of Burnley Golf Club for 57 years, and Lady Captain of the club for 25 years, Joan commanded respect and friendship everywhere she went.

Last Friday, following Joan's funeral at Burnley Crematorium, Burnley's handicap team played -- and beat -- Clitheroe Ladies as their own fitting way of commemorating Joan's life.

As the Handicap Shield match organiser for 12 years Joan's tireless work resulted in her being elected as the County Captain in 1995, the only Burnley lady to achieve the accolade.

Following years of service on the East Lancashire Ladies Golf Association Joan was also honoured with the title President of the Association in 1991 for a three year period. In December 2003 she was about to complete a further three year term of office as East Lancashire Ladies Golf Association executive member. She had been invited, and accepted, a permanent position as Vice President of the association.

Catherine said: "People may think all these golfing activities would leave time for little else in her life but you had to know her. As a keen bridge player she could often be found at the card table during bad weather. Joan had been an active member of Burnley Light Opera and Amateur Dramatic Societies in her youth and still enjoyed attending performances of the Garrick Theatre.

"One of her many other interests was her garden, hanging baskets and flower arrangements were an absolute delight with her skills, enhanced by her membership of the Burnley Flower Club."

Joan was also well known for her culinary skills and was an active member of Read and Whalley Dinner Club.

Catherine added: "No matter what aspect of our lives Joan touched she will always be remembered with respect, fondness and humour."