South Tyneside cancer and community champion Maisie Stewart who set up Macmillan’s first North East fundraising group has died shortly before reaching 93

Maisie Stewart from Low Simonside in Jarrow achieved legendary status across South Tyneside during her long life.

She began Macmillan Cancer Support’s first ever North East region fundraising group in 1973.

As a Labour councillor of many years, she was one of the last Mayors of Jarrow and as a former Lord Mayor of South Tyneside the ferry landing was named ‘Maisie’s Landing’ in her honour after the people of South Tyneside voted for this to happen.

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She was recognised by the great and the good for her tireless work in the community and her fundraising efforts and was a founding member of Bilton Community Hall in Jarrow, itself now a registered charity.

Maisie received many awards and many commendations from dignitaries’ including the Duchess of Kent, Macmillan Cancer Support itself for her dedicated charity work, and former Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn paid a visit recognising her community work and for her work as a local Labour councillor.

Maisie lost her husband Ken to cancer and her niece Beryl Coffey, who herself lost both parents and other family members to cancer, and has helped her fundraise for Macmillan since childhood.

Beryl is now 58 and for over 10 years has taken over lead responsibility for raising money for Macmillan as Maisie stepped back.

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Together with Maisie’s three adult children Gillian, Billy and Joan and an army of family, friends and well-wishers, Beryl remembers her auntie with great love and affection.

“Maisie never sought the limelight but when it found her, she was always able to shine,” said Beryl, “in the early 1970’s she set up the first Macmillan fundraising group in the North East and regularly attended high-profile national meetings for the charity in London.

“On one famous occasion, she spoke up in front of the attending dignitaries at the annual event speaking out against a suggestion for Macmillan to change the colour of their donation buckets fearing this would hinder cash-strapped regional fundraisers diverting precious funds that could be better spent elsewhere.

“The Duchess of Kent came over at the end of the meeting and shook Maisie’s hand to congratulate her on speaking out for what she believed in. Maisie was later recognised by the Duchess as a dedicated fundraiser receiving a commendation.

“Our family has been devastated by cancer I lost both my parents and a cousin, and Maisie lost her husband Ken of more than 40 years to the disease and it was Macmillan Cancer Support services together with Marie Curie that really helped our family. My dad wanted to be cared for at home and it was the charity’s support services that enabled this to happen.”

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More recently in 2018 Maisie was recognised by Macmillan for her lifetime of community fundraising and was also pictured celebrating her 90th birthday during lockdown with many family and friends in her garden.

“Maisie has not been in good health for a long time, she had a small stroke and struggled to get around, losing the ability to walk over the last couple of years but when she was younger, she was a dancer and loved to sing, Patsy Cline ‘Crazy’ was a particular favourite of hers.

"The community is devastated at losing such an irrepressible soul. She was inspiration to everyone she met, her kindness and strength had a huge impact on me and I will miss her terribly.”

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Tina Thompson partnership manager for Macmillan said: “I had the opportunity to visit Maisie with Jane Curry at her home a few years ago because Macmillan recognised all she had done for us with a prestigious award. It was an absolute pleasure to meet her, she has done so much for Macmillan and her community over the course of her long life. My heart goes out to her family and friends; an irreplaceable loss.”

Jane Curry fundraising manager for Macmillan said: “Maisie has been such a loyal Macmillan fundraiser over the years and everyone here at Macmillan has been really affected by news of her passing, she was a true legend. Our thoughts are with the family and friends of such a warm and caring person and a giant of the community.”