A DEDICATED Dales woman who was considered ‘mother to all’ has died, aged 83.

Betty Ettey was known throughout Teesdale for her long-standing charity and voluntary work and for her show-winning cakes.

The youngest of four children, Mrs Ettey was born in Marwood in June 1934.

While a member of the Young Farmers, she met her husband, farmer David Ettey, and the couple fell in love and married in Barnard Castle, in 1957.

They moved to Bar Gap Farm, in Bowes, and had two children.

An active member on the hill sheep farm, Mrs Ettey’s daughter, Jean Hollis, said she and her brother, Keith Ettey, had a fun childhood and could not have asked for a more loving mother.

Ms Hollis said: “We had some great times on the farm growing up. Mum was perfect – she did anything for anybody and she was a mum to everybody’s friends.”

Mrs Ettey was a member of the Mothers’ Union as well as president of the Bowes WI for several years.

Many will also remember her as social secretary for Bowes Agricultural Show where she was also a prolific baker, often winning cups for her fruit cakes and shortbread.

A talented baker, the great-grandmother also iced wedding cakes and became a show judge herself at both Bowes and Eggleston Agricultural Shows.

She was a steward for Bowes Show, only giving up the position a few years ago, while hundreds of children also knew her as a founding governor of Bowes Hutchinson CofE Primary School and as a churchwarden at the village’s church.

Ms Hollis said: “Up until not long ago, she used to sit with the children and listen to them read. She was there for any that needed any extra help.”

Since the 1950s Mrs Ettey had been a member of the Friends of the Richardson Hospital, in Barnard Castle,which she had served as chairman for and was awarded the title of life president in 2000.

And despite suffering from ill health over the last year; she always enjoyed being with her family and had four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Friends of Richardson Hospital secretary, Iris Hillery, paid tribute to Mrs Ettey.

“We were so very sorry to hear that Betty Ettey,” Mrs Hillery said. “Everyone at the Friends loved Betty, she remembered everyone’s name and was always available to support fundraising events and offer prizes for raffles and cakes for stalls.

“She was a valuable source of good advice and common sense to all the officers of the Friends. She will be very sadly missed by all who knew her.

“We extend sincere condolences to her husband David and family.”

Mrs Ettey died peacefully at home, surrounded by her family, on December 9.

Her funeral will take place at St Giles Church, Bowes, tomorrow at 11.30am, followed by private committal at Darlington Crematorium.

Friends should meet at the church. Family flowers only please. Donations if desired may be given on the plate in the church for Cancer Research UK (Teesdale Branch), Diabetes UK, The British Heart Foundation and St Giles Church Funds.