Readers' tributes to charity champion Wendy McLoughlin

Wendy McLoughlin MBE founded the charity Hartlepool Families First and served as a JP.

She passed away on November 11, aged 71 years, and a funeral service will be held next week.

Friends and members of the public shared their memories on the Mail’s Facebook page.

Pat Young wrote of the news: “So sad to hear the passing of Wendy, I remember her from school as Wendy Levy. RIP xx”, and Scott W L Ford said: “Such a shame.”

Louise Pounder was moved by the tributes she had seen, saying: “How lovely to be remembered for doing good with your life,” she said. “Lovely lady x,” while Ann Dixon said of Wendy: “ She was one of Ladybirds and will be so sadly missed by us all.

“A lovely lady with a heart of gold.”

Many people’s thoughts were with Wendy’s husband John: “How sad – they were a lovely couple,” said Amy Gould, while Tracey Bridgman wrote: “Such sad news...so sorry for your loss John and family xx”, and Jackie Foster said: “A wonderful couple who always had smiles on their faces. Wendy and John have given more back to our community than most, our thoughts are with the family.”

Katie Joyce shared her very personal memories: “I worked for Wendy with the toy library and Families First,” she said.

“She was a lovely person and I’m sad to know she has passed, rest in peace Wendy x.”

A funeral service for Wendy will be held at St Patrick’s Church, Owton Manor Lane, at 1.15pm next Friday, November 25, followed by cremation in Stranton Grange Crematorium at 2.30pm.

Friends and family are invited to meet at the church and the family has requested that donations be made in lieu of flowers to Hartlepool Families First and the Butterfly Trust.

Anyone attending is asked to dress in bright colours, to make the day a celebration of Wendy’s life.