A FORMER Huddersfield woman, Muriel Best, has died in Somerset aged 84.

Muriel was a singer and was well-known in Huddersfield for many years, performing semi-professionally as a solo artist known by her maiden name of Muriel McKean and her married name, Muriel Walker.

She was the contralto in the former Concord Singers quartet, who entertained at many local events.

Muriel was also founder conductor of Marsh Townswomen's Guild Choir, now known as Marsh Ladies' Choir.

She visited Huddersfield last October to join the choir's 50th anniversary celebrations.

Her great joy was in being a member of Huddersfield Choral Society.

She travelled on many Choral trips, both home and abroad, for a number of years.

Muriel worked in the textile industry as a fine worsted mender, becoming head mender at J Haywood and Sons, Marsh.

Then in 1965 she left Huddersfield, with husband Stewart and their younger daughter, to move to Wincanton, Somerset.

There, they became landlord and landlady of the Millers Inn and later the White Hart in Dorchester.

The couple returned to Huddersfield some years later, as Muriel was missing her roots. She re-joined the Choral Society. Sadly, Stewart died in 1987.

Muriel was also a keen writer and wrote many short stories and poems, some of which were published.

She joined Huddersfield Authors' Circle and it was there she met Ted Best, who became her second husband.

She and Ted were also members of various groups in the University of the Third Age, which they enjoyed until they went to live in Somerset, where Ted died in 2004.

Muriel died after a short illness.

She leaves two daughters, Christine and Kathryn, seven grandchildren and eight great- grandchildren.