TRIBUTES have flooded in from across the world for a much-loved former landlady died of a broken heart after the loss of her beloved partner of 33-years.

Anita Dixon and Pat Stilling were inseparable and tributes have flooded in from across the UK and Ireland to the pair who ran the White Lion pub on Slater Street, Barrow, for 24 years.

Ms Dixon, 56, died suddenly on Sunday at the home she shared with her 66-year-old partner in Ramsden Street, Barrow, who passed away after a brave battle with cancer on March 4.

The couple were at the heart of the local music scene from the 1980s and their kind hearts saw them make life-long friends of their customers throughout the years.

The funeral will take place on October 6 at 12pm but this could be changed to 1pm.  It will be held at St Mathews Church on Harrogate Street, Barrow followed by a wake at Costello's Bar, Ramsden Street.

Martin Brocklebank from Scotland said: "I was genuinely saddened to hear about Anita's death, just as I was when I heard Pat died a short time ago. It's easy to underestimate what a special place the White Lion was back in the eighties and nineties; how it offered a safe place for those of us who didn't fit in to the regular Barrow social scene, whatever that was, those of us who thought, spoke, acted and dressed that little bit different to everybody else. It was a haven for the oddballs - and the ones who liked decent music. And that was all down to Pat and Anita, a couple who welcomed anybody into their pub, and into their lives, with big smiles and the promise of a lock-in. Great people - I'll remember them both very fondly."

Donna Rostron in Austraila and Dave Butcher in Denmark also paid their condolences remembering their time as a White Lion regulars.

Bud Saunders from America added: "On Monday we awoke to the end of an era here in the states. We were both shocked, saddened, and devasted to hear of the sudden passing of our dear friend Anita Dixon over in England. She was a beautiful and lovely soul who had lost her wife Pat Stilling back in March of this year after her own battle with cancer. 

"No one can imagine the horrible pain and despair Anita dealt with not having Pat there by her side. No matter what anyone says, we know that Anita died from a broken heart. We know they were together longer than Rob and I because we met them when we first got together in 1991. They were the most loving couple we had ever met and always made us feel like family from the start. They gave us these bar towels on one of their last trips to the states after closing their bar The Lion back in 2009. 

"To most people, they are just towels, but to us they are a peice of their hearts and souls because they loved that bar and the family and friends they made having it and we feel lucky to have them. 

"This world, our world, will never be the same without these two happy, kind, and loving women being in it. Our deepest condolences and sympathy to their family."

Stan Elliot added: "Left Barrow in 1986 but still went back to the White Lion when I was visiting. Shame I didn't get to the reunion three or four years back would've been nice to see Pat and Anita again. Rest in peace both of you and thanks for the lovely memories."

Ms Stilling's daughter Angela Edney, 47, said the pair met in the Old Transport Club, Barrow, before they became the well-known landlady's of the White Lion in 1986.

The pub was demolished five years ago but the pair still held annual White Lion reunion nights at Christmas that brought people back from far and wide.

She said: "Every weekend the pub was packed. It was the place you could go whatever you dressed like and it was just accepted and a place for discovering live music and local talent. New people would appear over the years but the older crows still remained. They weren't just landladies but more. Anita was there to listen to everyone's problems and they often had people staying over if they needed their help.

"They had a civil partnership in 2006 and it was and has always been just Pat and Neeta. Pat was always in the back doing the food and Neeta would be out front behind the bar.

"The pub was a big part of their lives and when they left they decided they just wanted to live normal lives and the did until mam got ill.

"They loved going on holiday and spent a lot of time in America where they made a lot of friends."

Mrs Edney explained how both women were exceptional pool players and won a lot of trophies over the years.

She continued: "Neeta really struggled after she lost mam. She was just lost. 

"You couldn't have met a nicer, more genuine, warm-hearted person. She was liked by everyone and didn't have a bad word to say about anyone. 

"When I used to send a card at Christmas I always added and extra 'S' to make it mams rather than just mam.

"They are back together now and that is really nice to think. Mind you mam would be shouting at her asking why she was there this soon.

"She died of a broken heart. They were like two peas in a pod.

"They were just two lovely people who were well-loved and respected. They were always there for people and would lend an ear to anyone."

The funeral details will be released in due course.