A CRABBS Cross resident, who studied for a degree in art and ceramics design as a 70-year-old grandmother, has died.

Artist and musician Mary Andrews, of Walkwood Road, died on September 22, aged 79, following a long battle with cancer.

Born in Bristol in 1928, a lifetime of painting, needlework and pottery was encapsulated by her achievement of a degree at such a mature age.

Daughter Jenny Biggs said: "It created quite a stir when she gained her degree. Her art featured subjects as varied as people, animals, buildings and landscapes and she was skilled in several mediums."

Mrs Andrews linked her Open University degree studies to NEW College in the late 1990s and also taught painting to advanced art students at the college.

She donated examples of her work to raise funds for Headless Cross Methodist Church and made her talents available to several other organisations, including the ecumenical centre and a residential home for the elderly.

"Creative art was in her genes," added Jenny.

"Her grandfather was a celebrated sculptor and stonemason who became a freeman of the City of Bristol."

Among her commissions some years ago were those by members of the Baron Knights pop and cabaret group.

The Rev Julia Pellett, minister at Headless Cross Methodist Church, where she and her husband Eric worshipped, said: "Mary was a tremendous family person, a role model to her daughters, who gave much to others very quietly.

"Despite the serious nature of the illness, she was determined to go on living life to the full. She had that kind of spirit."

As well as Jenny, she leaves behind a second daughter, Helen, son Christopher, her husband and four grandchildren.

The funeral will be at Redditch Crematorium tomorrow at 1.15pm.