THE former colleagues of a much-loved woman who played a vital role in local theatre have paid tribute to her after her tragic passing.
Melissa Hackett passed away recently at the age of 44, and her former co-trustees of The Solway Hall in Whitehaven have paid their respects to her life and work in the west Cumbrian town.
Melissa, born in Whitehaven, acted as the secretary of The Solway Hall on the board of trustees, but her role had a wider range than that, and she was an instrumental part of the team that was seen running the bar as well.
Anne Kelly, one of the trustees of The Solway Hall, spoke of her life, influence, and importance: “Melissa joined here 12 years ago at the Rosehill Youth Theatre, joining in with the group of volunteers.
“In 2015 we moved into the civic centre here and when we became a charity, we had to be trustees.
“It’s not just being a trustee on the board though, she used to run the bar as well and helped out with other groups.
“She was such a lovely lady, and a good friend of ours as well.
“With the volunteers we’ve got down here we are all close, we’re like a little family.
“She would help anybody regardless of what was going on in her own life.”
Anne went on: “I wanted to make a theatre for the kids, and Melissa was always there.
“We did it because we love theatre; she always had a smile on her face, a happy person, there are too many memories to think of.
“When she walked in, she lit the room up, she was a good workmate and an absolutely amazing lady, a beautiful woman inside and out.”
Andrew Cullen, who was Melissa’s brother-in-law, added: “Although she was only my sister-in-law by marriage, she was my sister – I saw her in that way.
“She put everybody else before herself and did anything for anybody.
“Something I will remember is how well she raised her two sons (Blaine and William Hackett), just with the way she did everything for them, whatever it was.”
A fundraiser has been set up to support Melissa's family during this time.
To donate to it, click here.
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