Tributes have poured in for a Seaton woman who always put her community first.

Lynne Hardman, who was 75, died on February 10, after a short illness.

She spent much of her time between her passion for gardening and craft pursuits such as crocheting, which the community of Seaton benefitted from.

Residents were often surprised with works of art which appeared overnight in crocheted form, carefully wrapped around post boxes, fences, and on one occasion an entire yarnbombed bicycle, which is now on display, as an indication of her talent, in Seaton Chemist.

Her capacity to think of others has touched many people. Friend Gill Brinicombe described her as a legend in the village. She said: “Lynne was very supportive of everything. She was a big part of Seaton in Bloom and the Low Seaton anti-development group. She was so easy to love. “She made wedding dresses that were out of this world. She made my daughter Jen a prom dress from a hand sketched dress and made her look like a princess.”

“She made fantastic scarecrows and was very active with the Rainbows especially. I think the Rainbows thought she was the Queen, she had such deportment.

“She was treasured in the village. She did alterations for people. She was always so supportive. She loved nature and the outdoors. She was an ambassador for the village. She shone when others didn’t and would get out there. She was a leading light. She wasn’t just a talker, she was a doer.”

“She is one of the people that you don’t want to lose. She is just one of those people you are going to miss.”

Resident Jean Thompson said: “Lynne was a lovely woman, do anything for anyone if she could help. She will be missed.”

Workington MP Mark Jenkinson said: “Lynne was a community stalwart with real passion and determination. She put us younger ones to shame. Always the first to volunteer for the good of the village, she was instrumental in the recent improvements around the village. Her legacy stays with us. While right now Seaton feels poorer for her loss, it is much richer for having been blessed with her presence.”

Lynne leaves behind husband Derek and her four sisters, Cath, Helen, Greta and Louise. She will be buried next week in a private funeral, with family and close friends attending.

Any donations in Lynne’s memory should be taken to Seaton Chemist, who are collecting for the Great North Air Ambulance.