Former Blackpool coroner Anne Hind was also a dedicated Rotarian

Mrs Hind served as the resort’s coroner for nine years, up to her retirement in 2013.

She succeeded Sam Lee in the role following his death after she was previously deputy coroner from 1989.

Mrs Hind said on her retirement: “It has been the most enormous privilege and pleasure to have served the people of Blackpool over many years.

“I have been proud to have followed in the footsteps of the late Sammy Lee and the late John Budd. In common with them, I have worked in Blackpool all my life, both as a solicitor of the supreme court, deputy coroner and coroner. I know the town well and the problems it faces with a transient population, areas of poverty and the scourge of drugs.”

Mrs Hind said that of all the deaths she had presided over in her time as coroner, the helicopter that came down in Morecambe Bay in 2006 would stick in her memory.

She also felt Blackpool was a unique town for a coroner because of its tourism status, and as a coroner, dealt with people when they are at their most vulnerable.

Alan Wilson, the current Blackpool and Fylde coroner, said: “I was saddened to hear about the recent death of my predecessor, Anne Hind. Anne was a very able and popular coroner. She was widely respected, locally but also nationally and was well known to many of the coroners from around the country. She was a Deputy Coroner for fifteen years before she was appointed as Senior Coroner in 2004 until she retired in 2013.

Working with the bereaved is a great privilege, and after I was appointed it became very clear to me that Anne had always delivered an excellent level of service to the people of Blackpool & The Fylde over many years”

Mrs Hind was a dedicated Rotarian, being appointed president of he Blackpool South Rotary Club soon after her retirement, in succession to her husband Eric. She was previously club secretary.

Along with Eric, Mrs Hind, who died in the Alexander Nursing Home in Poulton, leaves nephew and niece David and Jane.

Her funeral will be at Carleton Crematorium on Monday, January 23 at 2.45pm. Family flowers only but donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Society care of Layton Funeral Directors (tel 0123 301306).