A well-known Keswick woman died at the Cumberland Infirmary, Carlisle, aged 95.
Nancy E. Smith, of Ambleside Road, and her twin sister, Jean, were born on February 3, 1926, to Stanley and Lilian Smith.
At the time, they lived at Woodford Green, Essex, later moving to Luton Hoo where their father was the land agent.
At the beginning of the war, the family moved to Carlisle where Mr Smith was appointed to be in charge of the land settlement scheme.
The girls attended Carlisle Girls High School before going to St Katherine’s Teacher Training College.
Her sister, Jean, married Jim Johnston and had two sons, Howard and Michael.
Nancy qualified as a PE teacher in Workington before joining the staff of the new Lairthwaite School when it opened around 1951.
In 1962, she transferred to the advisory staff of Cumberland, later Cumbria, local education authority.
Here she organised many courses in outdoor activities for pupils and teachers such as canoeing and skiing, and supervising the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme.
Nancy’s whole life revolved around sport. She played netball for the county and was a keen and very competent tennis and badminton player — holding many senior offices in the Cumberland League and the Penrith and District Badminton League.
Upon retirement in the early 1980s, Nancy took up golf and this was her chief sporting interest in later life. She was also a member of the Keswick Flower Club serving as secretary for many years and latterly as president.
Nancy had many friends from all over the country and has kept contact with many who have visited regularly since she became housebound.
She is survived by a nephew, Howard and his wife, and Michael’s wife, Louise, and children Natalie and Scott.
She will be remembered and sadly missed by all who knew her.
