Mary Arnold, a stalwart worker for the blind and partially sighted, has died. The mother-of-seven, who had fought a brave three-month battle against a brain tumour, died at the Manorlands Sue Ryder hospice in Oxenhope on Monday. She was 78.

Mrs Arnold, from East Morton, knew the condition was terminal but kept the truth from all but her family and closest friends. "She didn't want people to worry about her and insisted that we didn't reveal the true situation. She told folk she had suffered a stroke," says her eldest son Billy.

"When she got the diagnosis and was told she only had three months to live she didn't even tell us at first.

"The family has been caring for her at home and despite the side-effects associated with cancer treatment she kept her dignity throughout. Latterly she was in a great deal of pain and she was admitted to Manorlands, where she died less than 24 hours later.

"She was a very remarkable and wonderful woman."

Mrs Arnold had been involved with Keighley blind association as a volunteer worker for over 40 years, and was organiser at its Scott Street social centre for 35 years.

Her connections with the organisation began through her late husband Bill who was partially blinded in the second world war.

In 1992 she won the coveted Keighley Community Personality of the Year title in recognition of her dedicated efforts.

Mrs Arnold was born at Parkwood and lived there until the mid 1950s. She then moved to Thwaites Brow where she became involved in various organisations including the Ladies Circle, Townswomen's Guild and St Barnabas Church.

In addition to bringing up her own children, she also in the 1970s fostered four youngsters.

She had lived at East Morton for the past 25 years, where she was a member of St Luke's Church.

This week tribute was paid to Mrs Arnold, who was also a founder member of Keighley's hugely successful Safe Rider scheme.

Safe Rider company secretary Pat Schofield told us: "Mary was dedicated to the cause - she chaired the project for three years and I can't remember her ever missing a meeting.

"She was devoted to making Safe Rider a success and we have a lot to thank her for.

"She was a very conscientious and loving person who never complained about anything. We are shocked and saddened at her death."

Kevin Baldwin, chief executive of Keighley blind association, says Mrs Arnold was a close friend as well as a colleague.

"Mary taught me a great deal about working with blind people - I learned more from her than from anyone else," he says.

"She did a huge amount for the blind and I will miss her greatly as a friend and as a colleague. She is irreplaceable.

"Mary was extremely caring and even when I went to see her last week she was more concerned about others than herself."

The funeral service will be at St Luke's Church, East Morton, on Wednesday, 10.30am, followed by cremation at Nab Wood.

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