Ex-Newport mayoress, Marion Marsh, dies (From South Wales Argus)

Ex-Newport mayoress, Marion Marsh, dies

7:20pm Tuesday 8th January 2013 in News

A FORMER mayoress of Newport has died following a short illness.

Marion Marsh, 83, who was mayoress of the city in 1974/75 when her late husband John served as mayor, died at the Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport, on Boxing Day.

She had been admitted to the hospital on December 21 after being taken ill.

Mrs Marsh, who was born in and lived in the Christchurch area all her life, was heavily involved in the local community.

She was a former chair of governors at St Julian’s School and served as a governor at Eveswell Primary School.

Mrs Marsh spent the majority of her working life as a medical secretary at Newport’s St Woolos and Royal Gwent hospitals.

From 1947, she also spent 10 years working as a secretary at Burt, Boulton and Haywood, a timber importing firm based at Alexandra Dock, where her father had also worked.

Mrs Marsh was also a keen member of many local groups and organisations including the WI and The University of The Third Age.

She was also a regular churchgoer at St John’s Church, Maindee.

Her nephew, Andy Bethell said: "She was very sociable and thoroughly enjoyed being with people and the various groups she was in.

"She was someone who had a great sense of public service and she was Newport through and through."

Mrs Marsh is survived by her younger brother John Bethall.

Mrs Marsh’s funeral will take place at St John’s Church, Maindee tomorrow at 1.15pm.