Service to celebrate life of shop assistant

Gillian Goodwin (74) worked at the Mercury News shop in Sherrard Street for 32 years until retiring in 2008.

She had worked at Mawdsleys paper shop in Windsor Street which, at the time, was one of the few places in town which delivered newspapers. In 1982 Mrs Mawdsley sold the business to Mercury News which also had a shop in Sherrard Street.

Gillian, who lived in Melton, carried on working for Mercury News in Sherrard Street until her retirement.

She was also involved with the Brownlow Ladies and Co-op Gild groups, which have since disbanded, the Melton Drop In Club and the Melton Stroke Club.

Gillian also enjoyed having lunch with friends at the Samworth Centre in Burton Street.

Years ago she also helped out as a front of house usher at Melton Theatre on a casual basis. Gillian also loved going on day trips with her friends, her favourite place being Whitby, and she also had a love for cats. Her son, Paul, said: “She was a brilliant mum, grandma and friend and she just loved meeting people and talking to people. She always had a smile on her face when she spoke to anyone and she was always helping people.”

Gillian’s good friend Mollie Goodrich, who has also worked at the Mercury News shop for many years, said: “Gill was a very kind person who always thought of others before herself. She would do anything for you and was only too willing to do it.

She always had time to shop for one of two ladies who needed help and check to see they were alright.

“She was a very good friend who has left a very big gap in our lives.”

Gillian died peacefully in Oakham Memorial Hospital on July 1 after a brave battle with cancer.

She leaves behind her sons Paul and Mark, brother Gordon and grandchildren Jamie (12), Jasmine (10), Luke (8) and Abi (5).

A service to celebrate her life will be held at 2pm tomorrow at St Mary’s Church followed by cremation at Loughborough which is where she was born. Donations will be for the Samworth Centre.

l Gillian’s son, Paul, and his wife, Sarah, are taking part in the Tough 10 event at Cannock Chase, Staffordshire, in November in aid of Cancer Research UK. They will be taking on a 10km run through the rough terrain of Cannock Chase. To donate visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Paul-Goodwin2016