Tributes paid to 100-year-old who was active to the end

Centenarian Eleanor Cowey, from Salisbury Street, South Shields, died in hospital on February 18.

Her family say she is remembered by loved ones as someone who was entertained by life.

Mrs Cowey celebrated her 100th birthday in December.

Her daughter, Marilyn McCoull, said: “She got entertainment from life. She was fiercely independent, maintaining an active social life to the end.

“She had been a member of Westoe Road Baptist Church for over 100 years. She was very involved.

“She was a Life Deacon and church was very important to her. She was a member of the Harton Inner Wheel Club and attended her last meeting, as usual, on the first Thursday in February.”

She added: “She gained great pleasure from her family, who will miss her greatly. She was a great support to everybody.”

Mrs Cowey remained active all her life and enjoyed travelling with friends and family. She celebrated her 80th birthday on holiday in Australia and, for her 90th birthday she travelled to Rome and Yorkshire.

She celebrated her 100th birthday in December with a family party along with fellow parishioners at Westoe Road Baptist Church.

Mrs Cowey had two daughters Mrs McCoull and Janice Nicholls and three great-grandchildren.

She was born in Alverthorpe Street, South Shields and lived in the town all her life. She worked at Reyrolle during the war as an accountant and was married to late husband Arthur, who ran a TV shop in Fowler Street, South Shields, for over 40 years.