By Emily Parsons

Last updated at 12:00, Thursday, 16 August 2012

Betty Brown’s dying wish was for her friends and family to dance at her funeral – and today they will.

Betty Brown

A tea dance at The Shepherds Inn, in Montgomery Way, Carlisle, will replace the traditional wake, after the 83-year-old’s funeral at Carlisle Crematorium.

Elizabeth Ellen Brown, known as Betty to her many friends, colleagues and family members, had planned her funeral a week before she died.

Her death at Eden Valley Hospice on Friday came as a shock to those who knew her though, as even in her 80s she had been full of life. Betty had been diagnosed with cancer less than three weeks earlier.

Her daughter Christine Kania said: “My mum chose everything; when she went into the hospice she said ‘we need to talk about my funeral’.

“It’s the most difficult conversation I’ve ever had, but she decided where she wanted it, who she wanted and said she wanted a tea dance and no black clothes. She’s also given me all the music she wants played. My mum definitely knew her own mind.”

Dancing was Betty’s greatest passion, and she ran a regular ‘old-time sequence dance’ at Petteril Bank community centre.

Christine said: “She originally ran them with my father Cyril until he passed away in August 1999, then she ran it herself.”

Belying her age with her every action, Betty was still working two days a week at Brucciani’s newsagent, in Scotch Street, Carlisle, until she fell ill in May.

She had worked at the shop for more than 65 years, for three generations of the Corrieri family. Current owners, brothers Andrew and Chris Corrieri, spoke fondly of their employee.

“She was part of the fixtures and fittings,” Andrew said. “Our grandfather bought the shop from the Brucciani family and she worked for him.

“It came as a shock, because we always expected she would be back behind the counter before long.”

Chris continued: “She started working for Brucciani’s before my father was born – and he passed away last year at the age of 63.

“I don’t think anyone lived their life to the full like Betty did.”

The pair said even during her illness, customers and dancers had been stopping by to find out how Betty was doing and to pass on their best wishes.

Betty was born in Lambley, in Northumberland, where she lived until she was 14 and went to work on a farm. After six months she moved to Halton Lea Gate and worked as a cleaner for an optician in Alston.

At the age of 18, Betty moved to Carlisle and started work at Brucciani’s. She loved to tell people that she hated her first day and vowed she would only stay a week.

Betty married Cyril in April 1954, and the couple had their daughter Christine. Betty was devastated when he died 13 years ago, but her positive attitude shone through.

Reflecting on her mother, Christine said: “She was always a good listener, but she was renowned for being able to talk as well.

“She had a very young outlook on life and she loved people; she could relate to people of all ages. My mum had a real zest for life and she never, ever complained.”

Betty also leaves two grandsons, Steven and Philip, who both live in Carlisle. She was said to “adore” the boys, and was immensely proud of them.

The family have requested family flowers only, but donations can be given to Eden Valley Hospice.

First published at 11:27, Thursday, 16 August 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk