Today we look at the life of Noreen Rogers, in the first of a series of articles remembering those lost to coronavirus over the past year. We'd like to thank the families and friends who have been in touch with the Stray Ferret to share precious memories of their loved ones.

Noreen Rogers was born February 26, 1928, on King Edward's Drive in Harrogate. She died, aged 92, on March 16, 2020 at Harrogate District Hospital.

Noreen was a much-loved mother, grandma, friend and an active member of the Harrogate community.

Born post-war, Noreen was the youngest of five children.

Like many children of the time Noreen was evacuated during World War Two. Sue remembered her mum talking fondly of a Lancashire town called Freckleton.

On returning to Harrogate, she began working at her Mum's bed and breakfast, on Swan Road.

Her eldest daughter Sue recalled her mum telling the story of collecting water from the pump room in Harrogate with a distinct "smell of sulphur".

At the age of 14 Noreen left school and went straight into working as a civil servant in the Ministry of Food helping to organise food rationing locally.

Working long hours, from the age of 14, doing the breakfast shift before heading to work meant she was always a "hard worker".

Living and working in Harrogate her whole life, Noreen's life charts a similar history to the town itself.

She was an avid dancer and loved going to local dance halls at the weekend. One evening she was being twirled round the floor by a man called Alec who would later be her husband.

Marrying in 1949 the pair went onto have three daughters, Sue, Sandra and Rose during the 1950's. This was when Noreen left her position in the Ministry of Food to raise her family.

One of her three daughters, Sue Stenton, said her mother was "really quite amazing": a loving and caring woman who would do anything for anyone.

She thrived on the company of her friends and family, including her six grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

Later in life, Noreen continued to stay busy joining a number of clubs including the bowling club. She was also a keen swimmer at the Hydro in Harrogate.

Up until the age of 90 she still enjoyed swimming three times a week. Her youthful nature even inspired Harrogate hospital staff who said "I hope to be like her at her age".

When Alec died in 2011 Noreen continued to live independently in her house off King's Road, Harrogate, and rejoined the congregation at St Wilfred's Church.

Sue said her mum always stayed busy and was "never in when I went around".

A keen traveller, Noreen loved holidaying in the UK but also travelled across the globe to the States, Israel and Cyprus many times, "making friends wherever she went".

Keeping in touch with people over the phone and by letter was really important to Noreen.

Towards the end of her life, Noreen was admitted to Harrogate District Hospital in March 2020, but it was a shock to the family when they heard she had covid. Sue said: "It was early on in the pandemic so I don't think we connected the dots."

Sue was able to see her mum while she was still alive and thanked the nurses and doctors for their "wonderful" work to allow her to spend time with her mum.

On March 16, 2020, Noreen died at the age of 92.

Due to the pandemic and confusion about how risky it would be to travel only four people attended the cremation. The family are still hoping to hold a memorial for Noreen when larger groups are allowed.