MARJORIE Bruce Kulvietis dedicated much of her life to helping elderly people in Calderdale.

She was a development officer for Age Concern England, before helping to set up Age Concern Calderdale in 1973.

She went on to become the first chief officer of the organisation, a post she held until her retirement in 1990.

"She is remembered fondly and with a great deal of respect by older members of the organisation and the elderly community in Calderdale," said Tim Swift, chief executive of Age Concern Calderdale.

Mr Swift added that Mrs Kulvietis was particularly concerned with dementia and the mental health of older people. During the 1980s she campaigned vehemently for funding to address the issue within health and social services.

Mrs Kulvietis, who died peacefully at Kirkwood Hospice, Dalton on January 23, lived in Scapegoat Hill.

Her work in the community also extended to legal affairs and politics.

Mrs Kulvietis was appointed a magistrate in 1971. She was also Huddersfield's first international liaison officer until 1969.

She was also secretary of Huddersfield Liberal Federation, the founder of the New Liberal Group for Young Wives in Huddersfield and a former treasurer of Huddersfield Liberal Association. She was a candidate for the old Huddersfield Town Council in the South Central ward in 1963 and for the Marsh ward in 1965 and 1966.

Her funeral was on Friday.