A pioneer in Manx public service has died at the age of 79.

Lynda Cannell, widow of the ’Voice of the TT’ Geoff Cannell, passed away in the Salisbury Street nursing home on Monday.

Daughter Zoe, their only child, said: ’Lynda felt she’d had enough of this life.

’Having survived two major strokes and following many years of declining health, perhaps another full lockdown was just too much to bear.’

Lynda was married to former Onchan MHK Geoff Cannell for 34 years. He died in 2007 at the age of 65.

Lynda was born in 1941 to Steam Packet captain Bob Clucas and his wife Gladys and only lived in two homes - in Primrose Avenue and Ballabrooie Way, Douglas.

She smashed the glass ceiling by becoming the Manx Government’s first female executive officer in Treasury in the 1970s.

And she went on to run the Isle of Man Arts Council and was responsible in the 1980s for bringing over the Hallé and the BBC Philharmonic orchestras to the Villa Marina.

Lynda was a member of the Board of Education, being chairman of the primary schools division.

She pioneered important educational developments, and proudly opened Foxdale School in 1991.

Lynda was an elder of Finch Hill United Reformed Church on Buck's Road until its closure in 1993.

Zoe said: ’She was an articulate, well-travelled, quick-witted and intelligent Manx lady, and she happily lived out her days in Salisbury Street nursing home in Douglas, where she was wonderfully cared for.’

Zoe, a clerk at Douglas courthouse, said she was pleased her mother had lived to see her become Manx Bard.

’Lynda will be much missed, but her character and strong spirit will never be forgotten,’ she said.

Due to Covid restrictions a private funeral will be held at Douglas Crematorium on January 27.

Geoff Cannell, Manx Radio news and sports editor and TT commentator, was MHK for Onchan from 1998 to 2001.