A grieving dad today paid tribute to his wife, who died within days of her father's death.

Dozens of mourners are expected to pack into a chapel tomorrow for popular school dinner lady Maxine Armstrong's funeral.

The 46-year-old mother-of-two, of Oxenhope, suffered from water retention and was admitted to the Leeds General Infirmary when her organs began failing.

She died with her family at her bedside after her life support machine was turned off, only two days after her father Jack's funeral.

Donations made in Mrs Armstrong's memory in lieu of flowers will go to the LGI's intensive care unit.

Her husband, Brian, said: "My youngest daughter, Holly, and I were with her right up to the end and I think for a 13-year-old that takes some doing.

"All the staff in intensive care were brilliant but they'd done all they could and there was nothing else they could do for her. When it came to having to turn off the machine they did everything in a very respectful and caring way."

Mr Armstrong, 53, who met his wife over the CB radio, added: "She was a good wife and mother and always good for a laugh - we never had fall outs.

"She didn't have a bad word to say about anyone."

Before starting her family, Mrs Armstrong worked for Crabtree Printers and then at the Sunstreet Printing Works in Keighley but since 1992 had been a lunchtime supervisor at Oxenhope Church of England Primary School.

Head teacher Mike Wragg said: "She cared for many, many pupils over the years, was very well liked by the children and respected by the parents.''

Mrs Armstrong leaves her husband; daughters Laura, 16, and Holly; her mother Joan Feather; sisters Dianne Schofield, Gwenda Smith and Hazel Davey and brothers Paul and Stuart Feather.

Tomorrow's funeral service in the private chapel of S. Pedley Funeral Directors at Hallcroft, Cross Roads, Keighley, begins at 11am and will be followed by interment at Oxenhope Cemetery.

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