The widow of legendary Carlisle entertainer Donald Scott, has died at the age of 77.

Norma Scott, herself a familiar face across the city, had been ill for several months and recently suffered a stroke.

Norma, well-known in her own right as the owner of clothing boutique New to You, died yesterday morning (tues) in the city's Cumberland Infirmary surrounded by her family.

Son Jamie Scott said: “Naturally, our hearts are broken. My mother was a tremendous person with high standards and a great sense of humour. She was a great friend and confidante to all those who knew her.

“She missed my father terribly since he died in 2011, and coped by keeping herself busy working for charities, gardening and socialising with close friends.”

Norma was born in Southport in 1939 moving to Carlisle when she was 10 after her mother died and her father, Ambler Ramsden, a Yorkshireman, remarried and secured a job as chief projectionist at the former Lonsdale Cinema on Warwick Road.

Like Donald, Norma attended Brook Street School but she was a shy, introverted child.

In Donald Scott’s biography, Over the Garden Wall, she remembered her schooldays.

“One time, after a school report, I went to see the headmistress," she wrote. "She told me that I could do well but that I was a dreamer.

“That sort of sapped my confidence and I went more into myself. I was very reserved and I used to get it into my head that I couldn’t do anything right.”

Norma left school at 15 and she took a variety of secretarial jobs in local businesses which helped build her social confidence.

She met Donald at the city's Rydal Street Methodist Chapel and the couple married in September 1963.

They had three sons, Nick, Jamie and Edward, and lived for many years in Hartington Place in Carlisle where she ran a B&B.

Norma was a great supporter of Donald’s entertainment career and was a permanent fixture backstage at the Green Room Club for his one-man comedy shows.

As owner of the New to You second-hand clothing boutique in Currock, Norma prided herself on the high standard of her clothes and became well-known for her riposte to anyone trying to pass off substandard garments.

“It’s not quite what we’re looking for,” she would say.

Donald used to mimic his wife’s famous one-liner on stage providing great publicity for her business.

Granddaughter Becky Scott said: “Grandma was so sad after pop died but she hid her grief well and always kept up a cheery appearance.

“As a couple they entertained a lot at home but it was pop who insisted on doing all the cooking.

“After he died my grandma took over and just got on with it. I was so proud of her, especially during recent times when she has battled debilitating ill-health with great fortitude and humour.”

Of her marriage to Donald, Norma said: “We had a wonderful life together. Every day was exciting.”