Heartfelt tributes to 'incredible' swim fanatic

Missed: Alice died in her sleep at Meadow View Care Home, Castleton

An “incredible” old lady who swam 20 lengths a day has died in her sleep, aged 98.

Despite being blind and partially deaf, Alice Ellison walked from her Heywood home to Gaskell swimming baths every day without fail, until an unfortunate fall put her in a care home two years ago.

The happy-go-lucky pensioner even had a special button on the sports centre’s till to let her in without paying.

She passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 21, at Meadow View Care Home, Castleton.

Suzanne Forshaw, manager of Meadow View Care Home, said Alice has left a mark on everyone who knew her. She said: “She was an incredible lady, everybody loved her. 

“She will be deeply missed by all of us"

Alice wasn’t religious and requested for her body to be donated to medical science, and specified that there wasn’t to be a funeral.

A tree is to be planted in her memory at the care home, and a special celebratory service is being held for her at the swimming baths on Tuesday 17 March.

A member of staff from Gaskell baths said: “Not a day went by when we wouldn’t see her come in and swim up and down the pool, she was amazing.

“It’s strange without her here, its almost like we expect her to walk in. We all miss her very much”.