THE family of a popular newsagent who lost her battle with cancer today described her as "an inspiration to everyone."

Marjorie Olive Watts, 73, of Burnley Road East, Waterfoot, dedicated her life to her family and her work.

After marrying Jim at St Mary's Church, London, in 1950, Marjorie was told by her bosses that they didn't employ married women.

The couple then went on to have three children before moving to Brentwood and having two more sons. They then moved to Rossendale in 1967 with Jim's work for Hunter Penrose Little Johns, based in Manchester, where he was a trouble-shooter for printing machinery.

They bought a sweet shop, which Marjorie ran, and it also became there home, before opening Quix Newsagency in Burnley Road East, locally known at Watts'.

Jim said: "She liked to be busy and that's the way she was all throughout her life.

"She was a well respected woman who will be missed by a lot of people."

She had had many voluntary roles during her lifetime, including being involved with the Inner Wheel Club of Rossendale, Lumb Women's Institute, Secretary of Rossendale Newsagents, Treasurer of Rossendale Luncheon Club, Treasurer of Rossendale Conservative Association, Treasurer of Rawtenstall Welfare Committee, and a committee member of local branches of the NSPCC and RNLI. She leaves behind her husband Jim, sons Michael, Adrian, Chris, Tim and Richard, her sisters Eileen and Phyl, her brothers Maurice and Jim as well as eleven grandchildren and twelve nieces and nephews.

Her son Chris thanked everybody for their cards and flowers and Rossendale Hospice for the care they provided.

The funeral was held yesterday at Newchurch Methodist Church, conducted by Reverend Roy Nichols, followed by a private gathering at Accrington Crematorium.