TRIBUTE has been paid to a well-known Durham woman who died earlier this year, aged 73.

Ethel Heron, of Shincliffe Village, was the daughter of Robert and Isabel Ridley, married to Gordon Heron, a director of one of the city's biggest post-war employers, Bell and Ridley, and was a keen golfer.

She grew up in Musgrave Gardens, Gilesgate, and in 1946 met her future husband, from Coxhoe, who had served in 149 Squadron as a Flight Engineer in Lancaster bombers.

They married in November 1947 at St Giles' Church, Gilesgate. Mrs Heron worked in Bell and Ridley's North Road office and gave birth to their only child, Keith, in 1957. She developed her husband's passion for golf - he was chairman of Durham City Golf Club - and became Ladies Captain in 1971. Two years later, Gordon died.

Her son, Keith, of Buckinghamshire, said she show-ed great resolve in the following years and her greatest strengths were fairness and sense of perspective, which helped her friends and family through difficult times. He said a sign of her popularity was her election to the office of ladies captain at Brancepeth Castle Golf Club, in 1982, and to the committee of Durham County Veterans.

She gave up golf because of back trouble, but made the most of life, frequently visiting her son and his family, and socialising at the village pub, the Seven Stars.

Mr Heron said his mother's death, in January, was a tragedy and she was greatly missed. She leaves her son, daughter-in-law, Debby, their children Matthew and Gabby, her brother, John, sister-in-law Heather and brother-in-law Stan.