FORMER Mayoress of Macclesfield May Madeline Hooley has died aged 92.
May was well known in the Macclesfield area for all of her hard work in the area, dedicating her life to helping others. She became mayoress in 1957 when her husband George was invested as mayor.
During the mayoral year they had the pleasure of hosting the Duchess of Kent when, who visited King's School to open a new block of buildings.
Anne Ball is married to May's nephew George and she said that May was always doing something for the town.
Anne said: "She had quite a strong personality and was always involved with something in the community. May was quite community minded."
As mayoress, May met the Queen and Prince Philip when they opened the new County Hall in Chester in July 1957. She was also invited to an afternoon party at Buckingham Palace later that month.
May was born in Salford but moved to Macclesfield in 1929 when her father became superintendent of the local Royal London Mutual Insurance Office. May and George married in 1936, George's father was also well known in town as Inspector Hooley of the Macclesfield Constabulary.
May was a founder member of the Dormel Singers (now the Mydel Singers) and took part in many concerts and broadcasts. She retired from the choir after 50 years and was secretary of the Macclesfield Festival for many years.
Following eight months of illness with Hodgkinsons Disease, May was taken to the Macclesfield Hospital where she later died.
Donations received at the funeral included 50 to the East Cheshire Hospice, 115 to Angels International and £25 to the Guide Dogs for the Blind.
