EDITH FLORENCE WORMLEIGHTON 1909-2008

Sadly we have seen the end of an era in the passing of our longest serving member, Mrs. Edith Wormleighton.

Edith, formerly Miss Edith Florence Pearce, was the daughter of Alfred H. Pearce, one of the original founders of the L.A.A,who with his wife, also named Edith, can be proudly seen in the photograph of the inaugural meeting in Rochdale in 1909. Consequently, our Edith was born in the same year as the L.A.A.

This has certainly been a happy co-incidence, for, with her husband George, Edith Wormleighton has graced our Association from a very young age.She joined in 1931, (her then fiance, George, joined in 1933), and was quietly and charmingly ever-present at our meetings, supporting initially her parents, who were both officers of the L.A.A., and later husband George who held many offices , including that of the longest-serving Chairman.

Although Edith, herself, never accepted any official position, possibly on account of her natural shyness, she was always willing to invite the committee to her home, laying on a fine buffet. In fact, one past committee member christened her home "Trifle Towers", for obvious reasons.

For many years, being a talented pianist, she entertained at the evening get-togethers. Although becoming somewhat deaf in her later years, and lately house-bound, she kept her faculties, writing beautifully scripted letters, with a perceptiveness which belied her age. She could not attend meetings for some time, but she always maintained an interest in everything to do with the L.A.A, and was always pleased to be remembered by old friends.

I have personally known Edith for over 56 years. Certainly, no-one will ever equal or surpass Edith Wormleighton's service to the Association, and it is a great pity that she could not be with us for our Centenary Year. To say she will be missed is to state the obvious. All present members of the L.A.A. wish you "A Lift on the Way". Goodbye, Edith.