A "DEVOTED" member of a church community who "touched the lives of so many" has died.

Clare Smith, who was very well known within the parishes of St Helens, has sadly passed away aged 92. 

She was greatly involved with the former Sacred Heart Catholic Church, where she was given an award for her "many years of devoted service", and also with Lowe House Church.

In her days, Clare was the chief of the Women's Confraternity, hosting their weekly meetings and organising many a jumble sale, gala and Christmas fayre to raise funds for local charities such as Willowbrook Hospice and Claire House Children's Hospice.

READ > Tributes to a 'true champion' of St Helens

Over the years Clare, who was married to husband Leo, organised many pilgrimages to Lourdes, Walsingham and Fatima and kept the parish of Sacred Heart together after the church and social club were sadly demolished in 2004.

Clare devoted many a day to the parish priest Father Strawbridge, where she showed off her great cooking skills which many people in the community got to sample with her spending her working days as a cook at Mount Carmel School and others, such as Ashurst Primary School in Blackbrook.

She was well known for her catering skills and amazing buffets, and ran her own catering business along with some of the Sacred Heart ladies.

Clare, who lived in Prescot Road, sadly passed away at home surrounded by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and will be greatly missed within the community.

St Helens Star: Clare's award for her service to Sacred Heart Clare's award for her service to Sacred Heart

She leaves behind two grandchildren, Emma and Simon, and two great-grandchildren, and was pre-deceased by her daughter.

Granddaughter Emma Scott said: "My nan touched the lives of many and did so much in the local community.

"She was very well known either from her doings for the late Sacred Heart Church and for Lowe House Church where she was greatly involved.

"Since her passing so many people have come forward and said she was such an amazing lady."

  • A mass to celebrate Clare's life will take place on Tuesday, August 30, at St Austins Church, Thatto Heath.