A woman who founded Bradford’s first stroke club after caring for her invalid husband has died aged 87.

Betty Cannar, who spent much of her life in Undercliffe, died peacefully at an Idle nursing home.

She came to Bradford from Chester-le-Street, County Durham, after marrying her soldier pen-pal John Cannar in 1944.

He had been injured in an accident while serving in Italy and had to have the lower part of a leg amputated. After recovering he was discharged from service and the couple got a special licence under the Bishop of Durham to marry.

At the age of 19, against the wishes of her mother, she signed up and joined the WAAFs and served at RAF bases in the north and south of England, striking up friendships with a number of penpals, including her husband-to-be. Mrs Cannar’s son, Kevin, said: “The first time dad went to see mum in Chester-le-Street there was a bit of a surprise for him when he got off the train – a Rolls-Royce was waiting to collect him! Mum’s parents lived at The Lodge at Lumley Castle and the Earl of Scarborough had sent the car to pick him up – he wouldn’t be marrying into money after all!”

Mr Cannar had a heart attack and suffered a stroke. Mrs Cannar realised there was not help available from anywhere to help rehabilitate and give confidence back to stroke victims – so she decided to do something about it. She started the first Bradford Stroke Club, which got off the ground with a social meeting every Friday night.

Kevin Cannar said: “I can well remember the piles of sandwiches she used to make on a Friday afternoon. This eventually lead to regular bus trips out every Saturday and to taking two bus-loads of club members away for holidays every year.

“All the family are very proud of her achievements in running the club successfully for 25 years, entirely self-funded and with herself as sole organiser.”

Mrs Cannar had to give up running the club at the end of the 1990s because of her own health, but leaves a long-lasting legacy as there are now other independent clubs running across the district, supported by The Stroke Association. Her son, John, said: “Mum would be so happy about that.”

Mrs Cannar leaves five children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Donations in her memory will go to the Alzheimer’s Society.

Her funeral is at the private chapel of Longfield House, Co-operative Funeral Care, Legrams Lane, Bradford, tomorrow at 10.15am, followed by interment at Bowling Cemetery.