A Honley woman awarded the MBE for her work with the Ministry of Defence has died.
Miss Doreen Maude, 83, rarely talked about her work with David Brown Gears, where she was a draughtswoman.
But she was honoured in June 1988 for her many years of service to the country, helping produce gearboxes for tanks and military vehicles.
Miss Maude was to spend 41 years working with David Browns, working on gearboxes for the company’s famous Aston Martin cars before switching to the military side of the business.
She was one of the few women in what was definitely a man’s world.
Miss Maude was born in Honley, the second daughter of Frank and Gertrude Maude. Her older sister was Joyce.
Miss Maude attended Holme Valley Grammar School and later studied at university before taking up the post at Browns.
She travelled abroad many times for the company and developed a love of travel, which saw her visit many places around the world.
She played the piano and organ for many years at Brockholes Methodist Church but later transferred her devotion to the Church of England and became a valued member of St Mary’s Church, Honley.
She served as a churchwarden and assisted at Communion.
LIke many people in the village, she became involved with Honley Players and took part in many productions.
Another great interest was the Royal family and she amassed a huge collection of material about the family and Royal palaces.
After her retirement she lived at Burhouse Court in Honley before moving to spend her last years at Coppice Lodge in Nottingham.
A funeral service was held in Nottingham but there will be a memorial service at St Mary’s Church, Honley, at 2pm on August 10.
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