Tribute to mum who lived for Blackpool

Bev Mathieson, 46, was known for her work with elderly people, troubled youngsters at the Marton and Mereside Youth and Community Centre, and her dedication to Christian outreach group Care and Share.

Bev, who lived at Hawkshead Terrace in Mereside, died on Monday morning from a serious blood clot following a short battle with cervical cancer.

Her husband, Neil Mathieson, 51, said: “She was having treatment and she was fighting it. We thought she had turned a corner. It’s just a devastating shock to the whole family.

“Everybody loved her. She would do social clubs and lunch clubs for the old ladies and took part in the garden scheme doing up elderly people’s gardens.

“She was always there to help even the young lads who were getting into trouble . She whipped them into shape and told them right from wrong.

“I have got about 50 fantastic messages from people on the estate who she had helped in the past. I can’t look at them all because I keep crying.”

Bev leaves behind her five children: Scott, 30, Kyle, 27, Lacey, 26, Asia, 15, and Cruz, six.

Linda McEvilly, founder of Care and Share where Bev worked, said: “Bev lived and breathed for her community.

“She took the Mereside Centre and turned it into a thriving community and got everybody involved.

“She was absolutely fantastic with the children. The kids she helped are now 25 or 30-years-old and they will never forget her. It’s tragic that she had to die so young but she was a real fighter.”

Bev’s funeral will take place at Lytham Crematorium at 12pm on Thursday. Her family will be collecting donations for Care and Share and the Newfoundland Friends charity for Newfoundland dogs.

Her daughter, Lacey, said: “We know that mum helped and was loved by a lot of people so we are expecting a massive turn out to give her the send off she deserves.”