A WOMAN who dedicated her life to volunteering at a community hospital died just a week after delivering presents to patients.

Rosamund Finlay, of Barnard Castle, was a long-standing member of the town’s Friends of Richardson Hospital.

The 83-year-old died unexpectedly on New Year’s Day just a week after delivering gifts to patients at the hospital on Christmas Day, along with the town mayor, Sandra Moorhouse.

Mrs Finlay was born on June 18, 1932, near Kirby Stephen before moving to Baldersdale where she attended the local school.

After leaving school she worked at Brown’s Store, in Barnard Castle before becoming a driving instructor with Gregory’s School of Motoring for 25 years.

Secretary for the Friends, Iris Hillery, explained how Mrs Finlay’s officially became a member of the Friends in 1949 when the hospital reverted from the care of military personnel to more general nursing after the Second World War.

She used her driving skills as a volunteer driver for the charity and would take patients to hospital appointments.

She also became a Diamond member of the charity in 2010 and joined Prince Andrew after being chosen to represent the Friends at a reception to mark the 60th anniversary of the national association, Attend, at St James’ Palace.

Mrs Hillery said: “Rosamund will be remembered for her positive attitude and thoughtful, caring voluntary work.

“Often after taking someone to a hospital appointment she would divert on the way home to pick up groceries for them.

“The Friends of Richardson Hospital particularly valued her support and common sense approach to fund raising and patient care.”

After her first husband, Peter Wilkinson of Mains House Farm, died, Mrs Finlay met Edwin Finlay and they were married in 1975; celebrating their ruby anniversary in 2015.

The couple had no children but Mrs Finlay was very close to her ‘adopted’ family, Terry, Clare, Sara and Luke Kelly.

A large congregation attended Mrs Finlay’s funeral, at Barnard Castle Methodist Church, on Friday last week (January 15).

“It was a lovely service, certainly the send-off she deserved,” Mrs Hillery added.

“Rosamund will be very much missed by her friends and family and especially by her loving husband Eddie.”