THE founder of Dalston’s Male Voice Choir group, who conducted hundreds of performances, has passed away.

Hilary Hodgson, of Dalston, was born Hilary Margaret Eccles in Darwen, Lancashire on August 18, 1936.

She was educated at Darwen Grammar School and the Royal Northern College of Music.

Hilary became a music teacher in Blackburn, winning many trophies with her senior girls choir.

She married Geoffrey (Geoff) Hodgson in August 1960 and they lived in Blackburn, where their sons Martyn and Christopher were born.

Hilary and Geoff were part of a group of friends who loved walking in the countryside.

In the 1970s, Geoff joined Sidac (now Innovia) in Wigton, and the family moved to Lowry Hill, Carlisle.

She taught music at Yewdale School and joined the Abbey Singers and later the Wordsworth Singers.

She had a fine mezzo soprano voice with perfect pitch.

In 1981, they moved to Dalston, where Hilary lived for the rest of her life.

In 1985, she was persuaded to start the Dalston Male Voice Choir and conducted them in hundreds of performances over the next 27 years.

Keeping up to 45 men under control may sound like no easy task, but she managed it effortlessly with her mixture of technical ability and good humour.

She also founded and was musical director of the Dalston Ladies’ Choir for then years from 1988 and was a leading light for many years in the Carlisle & District Music and Drama Festival.

She was an enthusiastic music teacher.

The parent of one pupil was amazed when, on being confronted with Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody, she sight-read it and played it perfectly.

Hilary played recorders and was a member of singing quartet Cantrix.

A former Congregationalist, she became a member of the Church of England and ran the choir at St Michael’s Church, Dalston, for a number of years.

She also organised the church’s annual Christmas fair, and could always count on the help and support of many friends.

Geoff died suddenly in October 2002.

Hilary carried on with the same fortitude as she showed in battling no fewer than four bouts of cancer over the years.

In recent years, she spent many happy times with Michael Williams, and with him shared a love of birds, butterflies, and music. She loved all of her family.

Her son Martyn and Jane have two children, Fiona and Lewis. Her other son, Chris, and Tracy also have two children, Annabelle and Alistair. Hilary was glad to have spent time having fun with all of her grandchildren, as her wonderfully full life was drawing to a close.

She died peacefully at her home on Sunday, February 3.

Hilary will be greatly missed by many people.