TRIBUTES have been paid to a ‘generous’ landlady who died after a long battle with a brain tumour.

Wendy Houghton, former landlady of the George and Dragon in Flint, was diagnosed with the illness in 2016 and was given just three months to live. Over two years later, she passed away on Friday, October 19 in Lancaster at the age of 58.

The grandmother-of-ten was also a former landlady at the Royal Oak pub in Flint and she had raised thousands of pounds for charity during her decade of working in the town.

Daughter Laura Mather, 35, said from the moment she moved to Flint, she turned it into a goldmine.

She added: “Everyone in Flint adored her. They always say to me she brought the town together, she was the life and soul of the town.

“It’s been an absolute rollercoaster. She was given three months and it didn’t happen, she improved and got her own flat and independence back, then the tumour started bleed, but she bounced back from that.

“She had pneumonia and sepsis last year and we were told she wouldn’t make it through the night, but she bounced back from that too. She fought until her last breath, she fought and fought and fought to stay alive.

“Mum was hardworking, generous to a fault and everyone knew her as the gobby landlady, but she was quite a private person. She loved her customers and put them above and beyond all her life.”

Wendy had collapsed in May 2016 due to the tumour and shortly after moved to Lancaster to be closer to her family.

Laura said her mother was always raising money for charity and organisations locally for the community.

In 2010 she organised a Pride of Flint celebration event after Jade Jones won taekwondo gold at the Youth Olympics in Singapore.

Laura added: “Even though we knew it was coming, to watch someone die was always going to be harder than anticipated.

“Knowing she was dying was worse somehow because we would wake up and think today could be the day. Two and half years is a long time to think that, but she never once complained. We’re glad she’s not struggling anymore, and she had a good time the last few years.

“Thank you to everyone in Flint for welcoming mum and making her feel part of the community. She used to call everyone her Flintstones. Thank you for the love and support for mum before she was ill, when she was ill and now.”

The funeral will be held on October 31 at 4.30pm at Lancaster Crematorium because Laura said Halloween was her mum’s favourite night of the year.

The 35-year-old said she is organising a coach from Flint to Lancaster for those wishing to attend as a lot of money was raised from the JustGiving page which was set up in 2016 and it is what her mum would have wanted.

The coach will pick people up from the Asda car park at 2pm and will leave Lancaster at 10pm.

Those wishing to attend can contact Laura on 07506448989.

Sandy MacQuast said she met Wendy when she was a landlady at The Royal Oak and the pair took part in Brave the Shave in Flint last year to raise money for charity.

She told the Leader: “She immediately became a really good friend as we hit it off straight away.

“She was the most lovable, feisty, gobby landlady I have ever met, and I don’t think I will ever meet anyone like her again as she was one in a million to me.”

“I think it’s a wonderful tribute to Wendy for her being laid to rest on Halloween as it was her favourite day of the year. She will be very sadly missed and very fondly remembered.”

Wendy leaves behind her three children and 10 grandchildren who says she will be greatly missed by all.