ONE of the biggest names in retailing closed its store as a tribute to a former boss.
The Barnard Castle branch of Woolworths, in County Durham, remained shut while the funeral took place of former manager Val Watson, who died from cancer at the age of 56.
Yorkshire-born Mrs Watson had been a resident in the town since 1976, living with her husband, Frank, in Lartington and Montalbo Road, Barnard Castle.
She worked for Carricks, before moving to Woolworths, where she worked for 24 years.
Mr and Mrs Watson shared a love of country and western music and ran the Franvale booking agency, which signed high-profile American artists.
A former hockey and tennis player, Mrs Watson enjoyed dominoes and played for the White Swan team at Startforth, helping it to a hat-trick of league wins. When the pub closed, she played for the Red Well, in Barnard Castle.
She enjoyed walking and gardening and during her illness designed a low-maintenance front garden at her home.
Donations collected at her funeral in Barnard Castle's United Reformed Church went to Macmillan nurses and St Teresa's Hospice, in Darlington.
She is survived by her husband and children Paul, Conrad, Deborah, Fiona and Robert.
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