The philanthropic widow who helped steer a British cough sweet brand towards global success has left behind £41 million to charity after passing away earlier this year.
Doreen Lofthouse, who made her fortune after transforming Fisherman's Friend from a Lancashire dock-based firm into an international powerhouse sold across 120 countries, passed away aged 91 in March.
In her will, Doreen left more than £300,00 to be shared among her housekeepers, secretaries and gardeners, reports the Sun. She also left behind valuable jewellery to her surviving son's wife, Linda Lofthouse.
The remainder of her estimated £41million fortune will go to her Lofthouse Foundation, which provides millions of pounds in charitable investments in Fleetwood, Lancashire.
Described as a 'true pioneer' by those who knew her, the entrepreneurial genius of Doreen allowed her to reinvest millions into her beloved coastal town, earning her the nickname 'the Mother of Fleetwood'.
But her impact on the family business was so seismic that the measurements of the aniseed lozenge was modelled on a button on a dress worn by Doreen in 1974.
Doreen Lofthouse, who made her fortune after transforming Fisherman's Friend from a Lancashire dock-based firm into an international powerhouse sold across 120 countries, passed away aged 91 in March
![Fisherman's Friends were first introduced to Fleetwood by chemist James Lofthouse in 1865 as a remedy for sailors' sore throats. [File picture]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/10/21/00/49442773-10113989-image-a-24_1634774032869.jpg)
Fisherman's Friends were first introduced to Fleetwood by chemist James Lofthouse in 1865 as a remedy for sailors' sore throats. [File picture]
Fisherman's Friends were first introduced to Fleetwood by chemist James Lofthouse in 1865 as a remedy for sailors' sore throats.
For the next 100 years, his creation was merely confined to the fishing community of Fleetwood. But then a sparky young girl with bright ideas married into the family.
Doreen, who left school aged 15 with no qualifications helped launch Fisherman's Friends towards global stardom - with five billions sweets sold globally each year to the tune of £55m annual revenue.
The entrepreneurial genius of Mrs Lofthouse allowed her to reinvest millions into her beloved coastal town, earning her the nickname 'the Mother of Fleetwood'
After being born in Fleetwood Lancs in 1930, she worked as a clerk in a family-run chemist in the coastal town that was renowned for selling liquorice medicinal remedies to local trawlermen.
Doreen was originally married to Alan Lofthouse, who worked in the family pharmacy. After their divorce, she re-married with Tony Lofthouse, 15 years her junior, in 1976.
Tony was working in the seasonal shops when Doreen arrived on the scene. By all accounts, she had a similar effect to an entire mouthful of
