MIDDLETON, England (The Middleton Guardian), October 12, 2007:A much-loved pensioner who dedicated her retirement to helping others has died. Maria Elsworth – one of the longest serving volunteers at Middleton's Citizens Advice Bureau – passed away in hospital aged 81.
A former nurse, Maria, had been a volunteer for nearly two decades and helped almost 10,000 people overcome debt, benefit, employment and legal problems. Friends and colleagues of Maria, who lived in Alkrington, have described her as a remarkable woman who continued to help people following a 40-year career in the nursing profession.
"Maria never really retired from the service. She stopped coming in after injuring an arm in a fall three years ago but told me she wasn’t ready to retire yet and that she always intended to return," said a close friend.
Maria, leaves behind her two sons Michael and Graham and four grandchildren.
By Emma Mountford
© Copyright 2007 Guardian Media Group
