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She stood up for what she believed in and joined the picket lines in the miners' strike while cooking hundreds of meals a day for the poverty stricken workers and their families.

But now Myrtle MacPherson has died at the age of 90 surrounded by her family, who have today told her remarkable story.

Born and raised in the Durham colliery village of Easington, Myrtle will be remembered for her sheer grit and determination to make things right.

She made her mark in the 1984/85 miners’ strike and the protests that followed.

(Image: Heather Wood)

It was during the infamous industrial action that feisty Myrtle cooked more than 800 meals a day whilst making her presence known on the picket line and at demonstrations. And she quickly became the face of the protest, appearing on many television reports and interviews.

Myrtle's persistence to inform people of the plight placed upon working class people took the mum-of-two all over the world.

And throughout the UK and Germany she performed in the play ‘Not By Bread Alone’ about the strikes as well as going to Cuba where she delivered pit clothes to the local miners.

Myrtle demonstrated in London dressed as a miner to campaign for local coal and was given the opportunity to meet various members of state to discuss the plight of ex-mining communities.

(Image: Heather Wood)

And Myrtle’s desire for justice and equality meant she was no one trick pony.

Her campaigning for workers’ rights saw her fight alongside doctors and nurses against hospital closures, bank workers after local outlets shut following the pit closures and she became a founding member of the Easington Unemployment Committee.

The great-grandmother was also a strong trade unionist as a long-standing member and shop steward for thw GMB.

Her dedication to justice was so great that she was always vocal against any form of intolerance or unfairness, campaigning strongly for the release of Nelson Mandela.

(Image: Heather Wood)

Equality was a key aspect of Myrtle’s campaigning focus. At the young age of 14 she went to work at Armathwaite Hall, a private school for girls. Confronted by one of the girls who asked: “Are you the maid?” Myrtle’s response was to pinch the skin on her own hand and then that of the girl. “See,” she said,

“Just the same, I’m nobody’s maid, I am your equal.”

These beliefs led the wife of ex-miner Gordon to becoming a member of the Labour Party in the 1960s, from which point she became heavily involved. She is still known locally for her loyal and hands on activism and recently gained her long service award.

Myrtle was particularly thrilled to be presented with the award by leader Jeremy Corbyn, a man she enthusiastically supported.

(Image: Heather Wood)

Having not missed a single Durham Miners’ Gala in 75 years, last year was the first she was not able to attend due to ill health. However, her friends, comrades and family were proud to hear her celebrated by Labour’s Shadow Foreign Secretary Emily Thornberry who talked about her in her speech from the platform.

Myrtle was well known for her honesty and plain speaking, but most of all she was known for being a strong woman who fought for fairness, justice and equality.

Myrtle's daughter, Heather Wood, 68, said: “I’m really heartbroken but have been cheered up by the hundreds of messages, posts and comments from comrades and friends.

“It is absolutely amazing when you realise how many lives she has touched. She has inspired everyone she met and they all have a story to tell.”

(Image: Heather Wood)

And son Gordon MacPherson, 64, added: “I am immensely proud of what our Mam achieved throughout an extremely influential and hard-working life. Mam was an inspirational part of my life and indeed many other people, I will never forget her”.

And Myrtle's local MP Grahame Morris said: "Myrtle was a remarkable person whose memory I will always cherish. A lifelong socialist, Labour Party member and determined defender of her community.”

A spokeswoman for the Women’s Banner Group, a community group set up to celebrate the achievements of women, which Myrtle was most recently involved in, said: "A real daughter of Mother Jones; Myrtle committed her life to fighting for her community and she is an inspiration to us all. In respect to her memory, and in a time-honoured tradition, our banner at Durham Miners’ Gala 2019 will be draped in black cloth.”

Myrtle died on June 3 following a short battle with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

Her funeral will be held on Tuesday, June 18, at 11am at The Church of the Ascension, Seaside Lane, Easington and then onto Durham Crematorium.

The service at the crematorium will be family only. Also, they have requested family flowers only at the funeral.

A celebration of Myrtle’s life will then be held at Easington Colliery Club and Institute, Seaside Lane, SR8 3JZ, to which all are welcome.

There will be donation buckets for the food bank.