MBE for the late Dorothy Greaves

Dorothy Greaves

The late Dorothy Greaves has been named in the Queen’s New Years Honours List.

Mrs Greaves has been awarded the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to the heritage of Rochdale.

Mrs Greaves, who lost her battle with cancer on 3 July 2010, aged 78, was known by many across the borough for her work in the community.

One of four sisters, she was born in the Wirral, but moved to Rochdale 35 years ago with her two children and late husband Frederick. She gradually immersed herself in all aspects of life in Rochdale.

Mrs Greaves’ sister, Marjorie Povey described the news as “marvellous".

She said: “I am delighted. I am very proud of her. I have always been proud of her.

“This is very well deserved.

“I know people were trying to get something for her but she never knew. She would be absolutely delighted to know this has happened.”

Ms Povey, added: “She was always busy. She was always the chairwoman of this and the secretary of that and she was very keen on the Town Hall.”

Mrs Greaves is named in the New Years Honours List as Ellen Dorothy Greaves, Mrs Povey said: “I had completely forgotten her name was Ellen until just before she died. Everyone knew her as Dorothy; you can tell because even I forgot and we were so close.”

Mrs Greaves was Chairwoman and Secretary of the Civic Society, member of the Rochdale Music Society, the Community Arts Committee, the Friends of Rochdale Art Gallery, the Culture Committee and organiser of the Heritage Weekends.

Mrs Greaves’ service to the communities of the Rochdale Borough was recognised by her being awarded “Rochdale Woman of the Year” in 1997.

Last year Mrs Greaves was presented with a certificate of appreciation and a vase by the then Mayor of Rochdale, Councillor Keith Swift for services to culture and heritage in Rochdale.

Councillor Swift, said: “This is very well deserved.

"It is sad that Dorothy is not alive to see how much people thought of her and to go and receive the honour and know that the people of Rochdale appreciate what she did for Rochdale.”