A WELL-KNOWN Methodist lay preacher and retired headmistress has died at the age of 93.

Mary Lowes was born in Westwick, near Barnard Castle, in April 1923 and at the age of 11 went to study at Bishop Auckland Grammar School - a rarity for girls at that time.

She then went on to complete her teacher training and became headmistress first at Corporation Road Infants’ School, in Darlington, and the Forest-of-Teesdale School, in Upper Teesdale.

During her time as headmistress, Miss Lowes wrote several leaflets including a description of her experiences during the great storm of 1979.

However, many people will remember her for her passion for the Methodist Church - a religion her family had been involved in for generations.

In later years, she devoted much of her spare time to looking after and promoting Newbiggin Methodist Chapel, the one with the longest continual use in the world after it was opened in 1760.

She also wrote a pamphlet on her relative, William Dowson, a lead miner and Methodist missionary who lived in West Indies in the 19th Century.

Miss Lowes lived in Bowlees and Newbiggin before moving to Abbeyfield House, in Barnard Castle, 17 years ago.

She passed away peacefully of old age on October 25, surrounded by her family and a member of staff she had known for many years.

She leaves behind her niece Anne and nephews John, Robert and Richard, who paid tribute to his aunt.

“Mary had been saying that she was 93-and-a-half and I said she would be getting a telegram from the Queen but she said she didn’t want that and that she was ready to meet Jesus,” he said. “Her mind right to the end was good and sharp.”

“Me and my siblings are delighted with the care they gave her at Abbeyfield,” Mr Lowes added. “She touched lots of people’s lives in teaching or being within the Methodist church and we are looking forward to a celebration of her life.”

Miss Lowes’ funeral will be held at the Barnard Castle Methodist Church, on Thursday, November 10, at 10am, followed by a private cremation.

Family flowers only but donations if desired can be made to the Methodist Church World Mission Fund.