Tributes paid to 'bright, cheerful' Wigan mum after neighbour convicted of causing her death

Tributes have been paid to a “bright, cheerful” mum who was killed by a neighbour’s reversing car.

Alice Gilchrist died in July 2019 after being hit by a Volvo reversing out of a driveway, just metres away from her home in Vicarage Road, Ashton. She was 86 years old.

The driver, 67-year-old Lorraine Lunt, was handed a suspended prison sentence last week after being found guilty of causing death by careless driving.

Justices heard that on July 25 2019 the victim was fatally injured when Lunt reversed out of her drive in a Volvo C30 and hit her, then caused further wounds as the vehicle moved forward and back several times.

During Lunt’s sentencing at Manchester and Salford Magistrates’ Court, emotional tributes were paid to Mrs Gilchrist, who was described by her children as “the true matriarch of the family” and a rock to everyone.

Although only one of Mrs Gilchrist’s children - Julie Gast-Goulding - was able to attend the proceedings in person, statements from some of her siblings were read aloud to the court on their behalf.

One of Mrs Gilchrist’s daughters, Alison, said: “Mum was a bright, cheerful lady who kept up with all current affairs in the world.

“She loved to discuss the news, which at the time was all about Brexit. She was concerned about the changes it would bring. Being a war baby, she was worried that there could be shortages.

“Mum had five children, and as our father had died quite young, she was our sole parent, and the day she died, we lost our rock.”

A statement from another of Alice’s daughters, Sharon, said: “During all of her children’s lifetimes, our mum was very much the matriarch of the family.

“We lost our father suddenly in 1974, and mum kept the family going. As our only parent, she was extremely strong.

“At 86, she was always health-conscious. She never consumed alcohol or smoked and was adequately mobile and in good health throughout her life.

“Mentally, she was sharp and had recently learned how to use an iPad to keep in touch with her grandsons in Australia. I strongly believe she would have had many more years on this Earth.”

Sharon, who moved away from the borough to Spain in 1984, said her mum would contact her daily, and often twice a day.

“She gave advice, helping me make decisions on so many things,” Sharon said, adding; “We laughed and cried on occasions when sadness touched our lives.

“She had lived in Ashton, in Vicarage Road, since 1966. So many people know us all. Mum loved to tell others of our lives as she walked into Ashton town centre most days.”

Sharon raced back to the UK after her mother’s death.

On her arrival at the family home, she said: “People kept coming to the house with their condolences and cards.

“So many people knew mum and were struggling to cope too. Neighbours, friends and shopkeepers, it was dreadful for all of us. All these people loved our happy mum, and we miss her dearly. She meant so much to so many.”

She added: “I miss my mum every day and can’t comprehend what happened that day.”

Julie, who attended the court proceedings, wept as she held up a picture of her mother to the court, before reading her own statement.

She said: “Mum was the heart of our family. The communicator, the listener, the motivator, the person we confided in for advice and support. She held us together throughout the loss of our father in 1974, and her second husband seven years ago.

“On July 25 2019, mum was killed. It has changed our lives forever.

“The family home, where David and mum lived in Vicarage Road since 1966, and where we lived when we were younger, is no longer a home. It’s just an empty shell with memories and pain of my mum.”

She added: “Mum was a very proud person, and it is so difficult to think that she was taken in such a horrible manner.”

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