We don’t, as a rule, generally do obituaries on this page, but an interesting note found its way to our desk from Latina in Italy, courtesy of Maria Thompson.

Ms Thompson wrote to inform us of the recent death of Giovanna Mastrantuno in Manorlands Hospice, following a battle against cancer.

Ms Thompson writes: “Giovanna was born in Marcone, Italy, in 1946 and at the age of 23 emigrated to England. She worked as a mender at John Foster’s mill in Greenhill, Bradford, for many years and lived with my mum and dad at Eskdale Rise, Allerton.

“When me and my sister were small babies Giovanna was like a second mum to us. We were very attached to her.

“She never stopped working and also did some sewing for people. Gardening was her main hobby. She grew her own vegetables and had a greenhouse in the garden next to her garage.

“My Auntie Giovanna ended her days in Manorlands Hospice with cancer, surrounded by some of her family. She has a great number of nephews and nieces, sisters and brothers, and many friends she worked with for many years.”

Perhaps you remember this very helpful and hard-working Italian lady? Our thanks to Maria - who, evidently inspired by her “auntie”, made the journey to live in Giovanna’s native Italy - for contacting us.