Former Bowyers worker Mrs Dorothy Grace Slade died at the Royal United Hospital, Bath, on February 9.

Mrs Slade, 82, of Westfield Road, Trowbridge, who had two brothers and five sisters, attended Trinity School and Park Street School in the town.

She met her late husband Arthur while working at Slater’s Woollen Mill, where Mrs Slade operated a loom.

The couple married on February 28, 1948 at Trowbridge register office.

They had eight children, Vivien, Carol, Lynn, Frederick, Patricia, Mandy, David and John.

Mrs Slade also had 17 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.

As well as working at Bowyers and Slater’s during her career Mrs Slade worked as a tea lady at Unigate, a cleaner at Peter Black and Adcroft Surgery and she was also a home help.

Mrs Slade enjoyed line dancing, wine making, crocheting, gardening and spending time with her family.

Her family described her as a matriarch, generous, kind and stubborn, with a prodigious memory.

Her funeral took place at St John’s Church, Upper Studley, on Tuesday followed by a wake at The Farmhouse Inn, Southwick.

Donations in her memory can be given to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.