Gunvor (pictured above, far left), who was born in Norway, originally came to the UK in the 1950s as an au pair and later opened Martin’s Travel, the first travel agency in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, in 1966. After briefly returning to Norway to look after her mother, she went on to open Melton Travel in Melton Mowbray in 1972 and followed that with further branches in Syston and Bingham.

Gunvor married Joe Carrington in 1983 and they worked together in the business – adding two more agencies in Oakham.

Joe said: “She was an active member of Abta and went to all the conferences. Gunvor had the ability to see the best in people and this resulted in a very loyal workforce, many of whom worked for her for many years.

“She had a marvellous memory for customers who would return year-on-year for repeat bookings. She would remember names and places going back generations.”

Gunvor retired from travel in 2001 when the agency business was sold to Tomorrows World Travel, but continued to keep in contact with colleagues.

“She was often stopped in the town to talk of the old times and she was able to recount holidays and events with complete clarity and accuracy,” added Joe.

Her funeral will be held on Wednesday, May 9 at St Mary’s Church in Melton Mowbray at 1pm.