A woman who dedicated her life to helping people with dementia has died.

Joan Whittaker, 89, died on December 29 following a brief period of illness.

Miss Whittaker was born in Newsome and after leaving school she worked as a cleaner for a local authority.

It was while Miss Whittaker, of Golcar, was caring full-time for her mother Ethel Hepworth that she decided to help others in similar situations.

Looking after her mother, who had Alzheimer’s, was difficult and Miss Whittaker nearly suffered a ‘breakdown’.

But instead of giving in she found strength in helping others.

Miss Whittaker joined the Alzheimer’s Society and in the late 1980s set up the first support group of its kind in Huddersfield from her home, and later on Zetland Street.

She founded a lunchtime support group for people with dementia and depression and became a carer at a nursing home, looking after people with dementia.

Miss Whittaker took regular trips to Scarborough to care for her sister Rose who had also developed Alzheimer’s.

The most memorable of her achievements was setting up The Forget Me Not Club at Brian Jackson House, New North Road.

Her work with the club for carers of people with dementia landed her numerous honours including a Community Care Certificate, awarded by the then Kirklees Mayor John Mernagh, in 1993.

Miss Whittaker was awarded a Certificate of Merit by the National Co-operative Education Association and the ‘Woman in the Community Award’ by the Soroptimist International in 1996.

She also received the William Brooks Awards for Volunteers by the Alzheimer’s Society in 2007.

Miss Whittaker herself eventually succumbed to dementia in her final years.

Friend and former colleague Jean Dutton said: “She had boundless love and compassion for people at their most vulnerable, and her commitment to supporting people affected by dementia was unlimited.

“Joan was a strength and inspiration to many and her wonderful sense of humour and infectious laugh helped to bring hope and courage to people as they learnt to live will with the impact of dementia.”

A funeral service for Miss Whittaker takes place at Fixby Crematorium, on January 18 (12.30pm).

Donations can be made in lieu to the Carers’ Trust.