Tributes to much-loved artist Angela

ANGELA TAIT

A COMMUNITY has been stunned by the death of Dobcross artist Angela Tait

Angela, due to celebrate her 70th birthday in July with a solo exhibition at Saddleworth Museum, died after a short illness.

She fell ill with what doctors initially thought was norovirus almost three weeks ago, complications led to septicaemia which caused her death on January 20.

Her son Simon said: “It was a massive shock. She was always as fit as a fiddle. The doctors said it happened to only one in 40,000 people.”

Angela was an art teacher in several schools around Oldham, including Hathershaw, Saddleworth and The Radclyffe. She was well known for her paintings and sculptures.

Angela was a member of the Saddleworth Group of Artists for 17 years. Fellow member Janis Bowie was shocked at what had happened to her friend.

“All her friends and family are so shocked and saddened that such a lovely person should die when she had so much more to give.”

Angela’s family, friends and fellow artists say the retrospective art exhibition that would have marked her 70th birthday will go ahead on July 5-7.

Angela leaves her partner - former councillor Phil Davenport - sons, Simon and Christian and two grandchildren. The funeral is on Friday (2pm) at Saddleworth Church.