She taught herself to sew while growing up as a youngster in Huddersfield.
And the skills she learned as a child stood June Rice in good stead, as she went on to run successful clothing and soft furnishings businesses in the town for more than four decades.
Now Mrs Rice, 62, has died after battling cancer for the past 10 years.
But her illness did not stop her working; every day she would work in Praline’s Furnishings in Wakefield Road, Aspley, sometimes opening six days a week.
She even survived another terrifying health scare. She was working in the shop in February when she had a fall and suffered a major bleed to the brain, which caused a stroke.
Mrs Rice was rushed to hospital in a coma and after being taken to Leeds General Infirmary, she astounded doctors in the neurological department by making a recovery that they deemed “a miracle”.
Mrs Rice grew up in Brackenhall, Huddersfield, as the oldest of nine and began her sewing career by making clothes.
She then set up a clothing agency before diversifying into curtain-making and upholstery, and opened a shop in Byram Street across from the outdoor market.
She named her shop Pralines Furnishings after her middle name.
Six years on, she moved to a bigger shop in Wakefield Road and ran it for many years. It is now to close but will open for business tomorrow from 9am to 4pm.
One of her daughters, Melissa, said: “My mum was so proud of her business; it was like her fifth child.
“She would do late evenings and early mornings to make sure her work would be out on time. She had loyal customers and we as a family would like to thank them for their loyalty over the years”.
Mrs Rice, of Birkby, was married to Stephen and the couple have four children: Stephen, Kimberley, Felicity and Melissa, as well as five grandchildren.
Mrs Rice was also noted for her love of high heels. Her daughter said: “She was a glamorous woman who didn’t own a pair of flat shoes.
“She always walked around in heels, and even did the decorating and gardening in her heels”.
A funeral service takes place on Friday, September 11, at 12.45pm at St Patrick’s RC Church.
