HEARTFELT tribute has been paid to a former pub landlady who was a 'fiercely loyal lady' to everyone she knew.

Linda Metcalfe died at the age of 60 due to a severe stroke on December 15 2023.

Originally from Bolton, Linda moved to Kendal in the 80s where she met her husband Paul Metcalfe. 

Mrs Metcalfe and her husband Paul ran The Dun Horse together, a pub which was located at 5 Stramongate Street in Kendal, for more than 12 years.

"She did home care for Cumbria County Council, a job that she absolutely loved doing, and when the pub became successful, she had to make the decision to leave the job," said Mr Metcalfe.

"She had desires of becoming a social worker but because the pub was my dream, she decided to back me."

Mr Metcalfe explained that together, they turned the pub around and were very successful.

"When we went in, it was challenging, but we went in with a plan that we were going to give everybody a fair chance," he said.

"We had some really good times, met some really good people and made some nice friends."

Over the course of their time in the pub, Linda and Paul helped social causes by raising money for the charity Derian House Children's Hospice in Chorley. 

After they left the pub, she worked for a local taxi firm taking special needs children to and from school.

"She loved the kids she was working with," said Linda's husband.

Paul and Linda married in November 1997 in Kendal.

"She was a fiercely loyal lady to herself and everyone who was her friend," he said.

"She was the best thing that has ever happened to me. 

"She was the love of my life, a real true friend and I'll miss her."