TRIBUTES are flowing to renowned Bolton artist Mary Rudkin who has passed away aged 69 after a two-year battle with cancer.

Nearly 150 friends, fellow artists and local musicians have so far posted messages on Mary’s Facebook page with messages following her passing at Bolton Hospice on Sunday (November 18).

Mary, who grew up and lived in Horwich, held numerous exhibitions and was a freelance artist in schools and worked for the University of Bolton as an assessor for trainee art teachers.

She was highly active in the Create Bolton, the Christian focused charity which supports local artists.

Mary also designed the stained glass awards known as the Rudkin awards for the annual “How Great Thou Art” exhibition in partnership with Canon Slade School.

She judged and presented these awards to the school this year, and they will continue to be presented in her honour in the years ahead, said the charity.

For many years, Mary worked for what was the town’s community education service teaching adults with learning difficulties at centres in Cotton Street and Clarence Street.

She also very active at Bolton’s Octagon Theatre and worked in the wardrobe department making costumes for various productions since it opened in 1968.

Mary’s sister Kay Rudkin said: “Mary was not just an amazing creative force herself, but she was wonderfully supportive of other artists, writers and musicians.

“She loved helping others and watching them succeed. She was a true force of nature, cruelly taken away from us by cancer.”

A funeral service will take place at New Chapel United Reformed Church, in New Chapel Lane Horwich, on Wednesday, November 28 at 11am, followed by a private family committal at Overdale Crematorium.