A RETIRED textile worker who lived in Oxenholme died at home from a terminal cancer usually associated with exposure to asbestos, an inquest has heard.

Judith Ann Gentle, 61, died on February 16 2024 after being diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma in November 2023.

Mrs Gentle was receiving palliative care in the community at the time of her death.

A statement that she had compiled in January 2024 as part of an ongoing litigation claim for asbestos-related disease was read to Cockermouth Coroner's Court.

She said that after school she had worked in Shiloh Spinners in Greater Manchester as a cotton spinner before moving to Germany with her husband John, who was in the armed forces.

Mrs Gentle described the environment as an 'incredibly dusty factory'.

She went on to chronicle various jobs she worked in including a curtain manufacturer and as a cleaner in a nightclub in Rochdale.

A letter from Dr Paul Atkinson, of the James Cochrane Practice in Kendal, said Mrs Gentle was treated for pleural effusion in October 2023 and after further investigation was diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma and given a prognosis of three to six months to live.

Dr Atkinson said she had 'no obvious history of asbestos exposure'.

A post-mortem examination showed that 'no asbestos bodies' were identified in tissue samples but that in some individuals, asbestos fibres do not form asbestos bodies.

The report commented that it was 'possible' that the condition could arise from non-asbestos textile dust exposure.

Assistant Coroner for Cumbria Robert Cohen said: "There is no basis to suggest that Judith developed mesothelioma as a result of asbestos.

"It's possible, but there is no evidence.

"Her statement doesn't mention it, and no asbestos was found."

He concluded that Mrs Gentle may have developed mesothelioma through exposure to textile dust through the course of her working life.

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Her husband John, who she married when she was 17 years old, paid tribute to his late wife.  

He said: "Judith had two boys who she doted on, and seven grandchildren.

"She was my life, nothing was too much trouble for her.

"Even when she lost movement in her body and it became difficult for her to get around, she never gave up.

"She was the centre of our world, and we loved her and we will miss her every day.

"She was the rock of our family.

"Even when she got ill, she still tried to protect us from the pain that was going to come."