Stalwart of the community dies

Mary Gregory lived in Todwick for more than half her life and was a member of the parish council for 28 years.

She passed away on Tuesday 20th December and on Monday dozens of people attended her funeral at Todwick Parish Church.

Mary was named Mary Grace Gregory Gregory, her mother giving her the extra Gregory name so she would retain the family name should she marry. She went to school in London before her family moved to Bristol in 1931.

She was a qualified librarian and also became a wireless mechanic in the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force. She was also a part-time lecturer specialising in cataloguing studies and became tutor librarian at Richmond College, working there from 1966 until August 1982 when she retired.

Mary’s interesting and colourful life saw her gain a University of London External Law degree in 1973 - after she retired and gained the degree quicker than any other external student.

She served as a JP on the Sheffield bench from 1972 to 1990, reluctantly coming off the bench when she was 70-years-old.

Todwick village was a special place for Mary and was a member of Todwick Parish Council from 1979 to 2007. She was a member for 28 years and was chairman between 1983 and 1986 and vice chairman from 1991 to 1995. She was heavily involved in the installation of the village map and instigated the purchase of the children’s playground near the church in 1986.

Mary also kept local residents up-to-date with village news by setting up and editing The Informer, the village’s newsletter from 1982 to 2007.

She was also a tireless worker for Todwick Church and had many roles including being the first woman to be Todwick Church warden between 1981 and 1983.

Her interest in people also extended to being involved in Rotherham Hospital’s Radio Nightingale.

Mary was often seen walking her dogs Brecke and Terry around the village and also enjoyed travelling the world with her long-time friend Doreen Noble. She left the village in 2007 when she moved into Rotherham Care Home.