SAINTS fan, local history buff and Willowbrook volunteer Margaret Hayward has died at the age of 72.

Great, great grandmother Margaret of Nutgrove died at the home she shared with partner Tom Marnick in the early hours of Friday morning.

“She had been recovering from pneumonia and we had planned to go to that day’s match against Huddersfield,” recalled partner Tom, aged 77.

“Sadly Margaret died from deep vein thrombosis.”

Nutgrove born and bred she leaves a son, Paul, and a daughter, Jeanette.

Paul recalled how his mum took him to watch Saints in their Challenge Cup victory over Leeds at Wembley in 1972.

Although in later years Margaret had difficulty walking she and partner Tom were season ticket holders at Saints. She was a familiar sight on her disability scooter and she loved to mingle with her heroes at players' forum events.

“She loved watching Tommy Makinson, and had been a Saints’ fan all her life. She also loved helping others and was well-known around town,” said Tom.

A care assistant and qualified cook she worked with people with learning disabilities and was a dedicated fundraiser for Willowbrook and had been involved with the St Austin’s, Thatto Heath and 12th St Helens Toll Bar Guide groups. Margaret also helped organise local history group meetings at Sprayhurst Social Club.

Funeral arrangements have still to be confirmed.