“It’s time to say goodbye.”

The words of legendary tenor Andrea Bocelli were used to open the service of thanksgiving for a pillar of the community.

Friends, family and former colleagues joined together at Carlisle Crematorium yesterday to remember the life of former Allerdale and Silloth mayor Margaret Ann Snaith.

Mrs Snaith died on January 20 after a short illness - she was 83.

Celebrant Benet Waterman led the service, describing it as an honour to share in the memories of Mrs Snaith.

She read lines from a poem, saying “Not, how did she die, but how did she live? Not, what did she gain, but what did she give?

“These are the units to measure the worth of a woman.”

The celebrant spoke of the former councillor’s passion for helping people.

“She had a great passion for helping others and she gave so much to the community. She was a parish councillor in Silloth for 13 years, was Silloth mayor between 2003 and 2004 and was Allerdale mayor between 1999 and 2000.

“She welcomed the first millennium baby in Cumbria.”

The celebrant went on to say: “There were so many people in Margaret’s life who shared happy times of fun, laughter and smiles.”

Mrs Snaith grew up in Yorkshire, before she later settled in Silloth, a place she loved. She was a much-loved wife of the late Jim Snaith.

A tribute was read out from the current leader of Allerdale Council, Marion Fitzgerald, it said: “She was an impressive lady. She was certainly unafraid to speak her mind and tell it straight.”

The tribute recounted the council leader’s memory of witnessing Mrs Snaith in action at a meeting of Allerdale’s development panel, where the pair met for the first time.

She said she had missed her presence on the council in recent years.

Words from son Jim Snaith, said his “mum was straight as the day was long”.

The service also heard from one of Mrs Snaith’s closest friends, Carol Doran.

She said: “On moving to Silloth four years ago I developed a strong friendship with Margaret.”

Mrs Doran recalled how Margaret had told her of the time she was sat next to Margaret Thatcher at a memorial service for the Penrith-born former Conservative Home Secretary, Willie Whitelaw.

“Mrs Thatcher was not on her Christmas card list, I might add,” joked Mrs Doran.

In a break from tradition, Mrs Snaith’s coffin was brought in before mourners took their seats, a unique touch for a unique woman.

Donations accepted for Cancer Research UK.

The family thanked all those who attended the service.