Tributes have been paid to a real star of the Huddersfield stage.
Mrs Marina Haigh, of Holthead, Slaithwaite, spent more than half a century entertaining people in the town and across the region.
She was highly-regarded as a singer, dancer and comedy entertainer and won numerous plaudits for her performances.
Mrs Haigh, 79, was brought up in Scapegoat Hill, and went on to work as a company secretary and director of the family haulage business.
She and her husband Colin had two sons, Neil and Carlton, and three grandchildren, Lee, Josh and Elliott.
Some of her first appearances on the stage were in The Live Shows around Huddersfield more than 40 years ago.
She also appeared over the years with groups including The Sophisticats concert party, Marsden Church Operatic Society, Huddersfield Light Opera Company and the Huddersfield Amateur Operatic Society.
She was a regular prompter for shows presented by Longwood Amateur Operatic Society and a regular with both the Huddersfield Murder Mystery Company and The Melodians theatre group.
Mrs Haigh was one of the first to volunteer when legendary entertainer Doreen France staged one of her hugely-successful charity shows and appeared many times with the fundraising group Caritas.
But she was perhaps best known over the last 30 years as part of a comedy duo with Gina Cook
Mrs Cook said: “She was a wonderful all-round entertainer. She could sing, dance and act and she taught me many wonderful tap dances for our shows.
“She was also in demand as a compere for many of the shows put on by dance schools in Huddersfield”.
Mrs Haigh had spent the last seven years as part of the cabaret group Miscellany and also enjoyed appearing on a Honley Male Voice Choir bill with Lesley Garrett.
She was delighted to be honoured for 50 years service by NODA, the national operatic and dramatic association.
She and Colin loved travel, both at home and abroad, especially in their motor home. They were also regulars at steam fairs and rallies..
Her funeral takes place on April 3 at St Bartholomew’s Church, Meltham.
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