BETTY Bolton, who has died at the age of 77, was a woman of many parts. During her adult lifetime she had been, among other things, a town and parish councillor, school governor, shopkeeper, charity worker, musician and dedicated wife and mother.

But to all who knew this champion of the disadvantaged she will be simply remembered as a generous, energetic and charming lady, in the true sense of the word.

The funeral takes place at 11am today (Thursday, March 25) at St Thomas of Canterbury Church, Dentons Green, followed by interment at St Helens cemetery.

Betty was born into a local newspaper dynasty, her father being W. G. Gentry senior, proprietor-editor of the St Helens Reporter, who was succeeded by Betty's late brother, W. G. (Bill) Gentry junior, who in turn was succeeded by his daughter, Patsy.

Betty had worked in the newspaper's offices, then in Church Street, after attending Cowley Girls grammar school during the war years. She left the family firm on her marriage in 1948 to Bob Bolton, by whom she had two devoted daughters, Mary and Elizabeth.

For a while, the couple ran a general store and newsagents in Billinge, before Betty took up employment with the Tyrers department store in St Helens. Next, she held a post with the pensions department of the DHSS, until her retirement in 1986.

The following year, she was elected a Conservative borough councillor, representing Windle ward from 1987 to 1995 and serving on the Social Services and Leisure and Recreation committees. From 1991, up to as recently as last year, she was an active member of Windle Parish Council , being elected chairman (1995-96) and having special responsibilities for Victim Support and Merseyside Transport issues.

Hectic schedule

A great deal of her effort was thrown into working with the disabled and the less well off, being heavily involved with Home Start, helping disadvantaged families to create a good home environment. She also applied herself to the Crossroads organisation, aimed at providing some quality time to those caring for the long-term sick.

In addition, Betty had served as a governor at both the Windlehurst and St Luke's primary schools. Yet, despite her hectic schedule, she had still found space to enjoy a lively social life, being an accomplished pianist and a keen member of St Helens Catholic Amateur Gilbert & Sullivan Society.

Betty, a proud grandmother and great-grandmother, had lived in Millbrook Lane, Eccleston, up to the death of husband, Bob, in November 1998. In recent times she had moved to Northwich to live with daughter Elizabeth.