Norah Raw, of Windermere, has died just six months short of her 100th birthday.
Born at Windermere Golf Club, Mrs Raw was the second daughter of Jack and Lily Borwick. With her elder sister Kathleen (1905-50) she attended Oak Hill School, in Windermere, where her love of drawing and flowers took root. Besides learning catering and management at the golf club until 1928, and looking after her younger sister Eileen (1915-96) she helped her mother look after guests at Easedale, the family home, until 1931.
She had little to do with her father's boat building business, and throughout her life - until her grandson Tim and his wife Michelle decided to have their reception on a steamer on the lake - refused to sail.
By chance, over a pint of cream for the Rolls-Royce engineers servicing Segrave's attempt on the world water speed record in 1930, she met Bob Raw. Unexpectedly offered the tenancy of Helm Farm, above Bowness, they married in 1931 and farmed it until 1974.
Mr and Mrs Raw had three children, John (1934), Noreen (1940) and Kate (1950). Five grandchildren followed - Andrew, Tim, Rebekah, Katherine and Johanna.
After Mr Raw died in 1979, Mrs Raw was presented with four great-grandchildren - Grace and Rosie who live in New Zealand, and Edward and Polly in Huddesfield.
Mrs Raw lived on the Helm until 1996 when she went to live in Box, near Bath. Near to her daughter Kate, she helped look after her granddaughters. Her health deteriorated and in 2005 she went to live in Bybrook House where the staff thought she was fantastic'.
Friends and family attended her funeral in Bowness Cemetery - some mourners travelling from Ireland. Tributes - one from down under' - were paid, and a reception at the Belsfield Hotel lasted until 8.30pm.
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