Tributes have been paid to a well-known community leader who was most-known for being the lay reader at St Elisabeth’s Church, Carlisle.

For the last 17 years, Gael Dowdeswell helped to transform the lives of Carlisle families.

She relocated from the North East to Harraby in 2003 with Reverend Sue Wicks, who was to be the new vicar of St Elisabeth’s Church.

Together they built up a successful network of children’s groups for youngsters from birth up to the age of 18 including Little Teds, Betty Bear, Pinx and the 1st St Elisabeth’s Baden-Powell Scout Group.

She worked hard to ensure that every child was included and that families received any additional support required.

She was meticulous in her planning for those groups – even being noted for having four years of activities prepared for Betty Bear, the babies and pre-schoolers’ group.

In addition, Gael would plan swimming, canoeing, rock climbing, camping and activity weekends away for them all. She would also regularly visit pupils and staff at the neighbouring Inglewood schools.

After dedicating so much of her life to children in Harraby, it is perhaps not surprising to discover that Gael was a qualified teacher. Unfortunately, she never got the chance to work in a school after badly injuring her back shortly after graduating from university.

Gael grew up in Chorlton, near Manchester, attending a local primary school before going to Fallowfield Church of England High School. Here she developed a lovely singing voice, which is fondly remembered today by the St Elisabeth’s congregation.

Singing was a big part of Gael’s life. She was head chorister at church and achieved her Bishop’s Chorister award in her teens. In her mid-20s, Gael passed RNCM (Royal Northern College of Music) auditions to train as an opera singer although she did not pursue this.

Gael went to university in the North East, going on to graduate in Education from Sunderland. She achieved a postgraduate diploma in Careers Guidance, going on to work for the Careers Service for a number of years. At this time that she lived in Whitburn, where she was a very active member of the church and met Sue, who was serving as a curate before her appointment to serve in Carlisle.

Whilst Gael had felt a calling to the priesthood since her teens, it was not until her time at St Elisabeth’s that she embarked on training and became a licensed Lay Reader. Whilst not formally ordained, she was authorised to lead many services at St Elisabeth’s Church, particularly the family ‘Prayer and Praise’ events. She also served as churchwarden and was appointed to the Parochial Church Council.

Dogs were another of Gael’s great loves. Angus, a West Highland Terrier, was her canine companion in Harraby for many years. Following his passing, black Labrador Guinness joined the family and together they were a regular sight, often meeting other dog walkers in Keenan Park.

Adventure-loving Gael was a fan of long-distance routes, completing the Dales Way, Wicklow Way and the Camino de Santiago in northern Spain as well as a 720-mile bike ride from Land’s End to Gretna in 2017. Gael died, suddenly at home in High Hesket, on January 24, aged 52. She is survived by her mother Audrey and sisters Heather and Alison.

More than 200 people attended a funeral service at St Elisabeth’s Church. Donations made were for helping St Elisabeth’s to continue its ministry and mission.