A reception at the Haworth Art Gallery celebrated the life of Brenda Marshall, assistant curator at the gallery for some 25 years, following her death.

Brenda, nee Brenda Bullen, passed away on August 26 in Royal Blackburn Hospital.

She first joined the gallery in the mid-1980s, following both her daughters into the role. Working initially alongside late curator Norman Potter, Brenda’s knowledge of the gallery’s works, including its Tiffany glass collection helped make her a favourite of visitors and staff alike.

She acted as a guide to visiting art and antiques experts, including presenters of TV shows such as the Antiques Roadshow.

Brenda Marshall with antiques expert Eric Knowles

Mr Potter’s successor, Jennifer Rennie, who has now retired, said people would come into the gallery just to see Brenda.

She said: “When Brenda was at the front desk, it created a better atmosphere in the whole gallery.

“She was a truly lovely person and a good friend to those of us fortunate enough to work with her.”

Brenda was a highly creative and talented artist, who had applied her skills to figurative painting in various media and to ceramic painting.

Brenda also curated and ran the gallery’s shop prior to her retirement aged 73.

Brenda and her husband Gordon met at an Accrington Conservative Club dance and they married in 1959.

They lived most of their married life in the Baxenden area.

As a young mother-of-two, Brenda ran businesses of her own, including a ladies’ clothing boutique, and had enjoyed a long career in ladies’ fashion and merchandising. She enjoyed extensive foreign travel with Gordon, spending many long holidays in France, in particular the Loire Atlantique.

In the 1970s she studied English Literature as a mature student. She was also a gifted cook, seamstress, interior decorator and homemaker.

Her funeral service was held at Burnley Cemetery. She was dearly loved and is very deeply missed by her husband Gordon, her daughters, Louise and Laura, and by sons-in-law, Jon and Paul.

Brenda was the much loved niece of Mary, cousin to Ann, Peter and Sarah and aunty to Gordon. A Breath of Life Fund in Brenda’s name will remain open with the British Lung Foundation via their website at http://Brenda.Marshall.muchloved.com