Derby dart champion dies

A THREE-TIMES women's darts champion has died of cancer at her home in Chaddesden.

Irene Scott, 63, was women's Derby Darts Ladies' Singles Champion three years running between 1971 and 1974.

She died at her home in Bangor Street after losing a three-year struggle with ovarian cancer. Margaret Curd, 67, one of her two sisters, said: "I miss her so much already. We were so close all our life.

"We saw each other almost every day. She made me so happy. I can't bear the idea of living without her."

Irene leaves a son, David, 42.

Margaret, of Curzon Road, Chaddesden, said the news of Irene's cancer came as a big shock.

She said: "We couldn't believe it.

"She'd been so healthy all her life, always going out and taking part in things.

"We all thought 'not our Irene'."

Margaret said how, after spending her last days in the Derbyshire Royal Infirmary, Miss Scott had asked to be taken home to die.

She said: "She had lived in Chaddesden all her life and wanted to end it there."

Margaret said Irene had always had a love for sports. She said: "She was a tomboy, really, always getting mucky outside, especially if our mum had dressed her up nicely. She did everything at school, javelin, football, fishing. But when she found darts, she loved it."

Irene, who worked as a cleaner for British Rail, began playing darts seriously at the former Rutland Arms, on the corner of Carrington Street and Nelson Street, Derby, which has since been closed down.

Along with her three champion titles and many other trophies, Irene also won a mixed doubles title in 1974, playing alongside Dennis Ratcliffe, now the general secretary of the Derbyshire Darts Organisation.

Close friend Sue Bell, 54, who lived with Miss Scott at her Chaddesden home, said they met through darts.

Mrs Bell, who used to be the landlady at the Kingfisher pub, in Lexington Road, Chaddesden, said: "I first met Irene while she was playing darts in my pub.

"I was taken with her straight away. She was so friendly. What you saw was what you got with Irene. She was all heart.

"She was a mercilessly good darts player but one of the kindest people I have ever met. She was my best friend."

Irene died on January 15. Her funeral takes place on Tuesday at St Mark's Church, Francis Street, Chaddesden, at 2pm.

Saturday, January 31, 2009, 11:00 (story source...)