TRIBUTES have been paid to a York woman who became well-known for running a popular city centre cafe in the 70s and 80s.

Jean Tolmie-Thomson, also known as Mrs Crumbles, died earlier this month at the age of 84.

Mrs Tolmie-Thomson was born Jean Rose and grew up in York, working for a time at Rowntree's, the Blind School in Exhibition Square and BHS, but was best known for her tea rooms Crumbles on Lady Row, Goodramgate.

She ran the cafe from 1975 to 1985, and over the decade built up a considerable reputation.

Her son and former employee, chef Graeme said: "Crumbles was ahead of its time as a deli and tea rooms, we made a wide selection of fresh sandwiches from local-sourced produce. It is just expected now in a more convenience age but back then customers returned for the choice and reputation."

The tea rooms drew special commendation from the Chief Environmental Health Officer in 1984 for its "exceptional levels of cleanliness and hygiene".

Following a visit from California, a returning American tourist was moved to send a letter of thanks addressed to "Crumbles, the Greatest Biscuit House in all Europe!"

The cast of Are You Being Served, who once took afternoon tea in Crumbles, individually autographed receipts were presented to Jean to show their gratitude.

Mrs Tolmie-Thomson grew up in Yearsley Villa, Huntington Road, and as a child helped her grandmother who was in service to the doctor, and took in injured Canadian servicemen during the war.

She joked that she never went back for her second day at Park Grove school, she began work at Rowntree’s packing Black Magic in the forties before going on to the Blind School.

She met her husband Ken in Fairfax House, then a cinema, when he was on National Service based at Linton on Ouse. After they married in 1952 they moved to his home in Hertfordshire for 20 years, coming back to York in the early 1970s.

After Crumbles she went on to work at BHS on Coney Street, and regularly fundraised for Children in Need with collecting buckets.

Her grandson Ross Tolmie-Loverseed added: "She was fiercely devoted to family and loved by all those she met for her open and loving sense of humour. In retirement she was an ever present and vocal supporter of all our football matches for Wigginton Grasshoppers and Easingwold School and there will be many players who remember her for her half-time sweets. She will be remembered for her life of hard work, open cheerful wit, fun and devotion to her family."

Mrs Tolmie-Thomson is survived by her husband Ken, son Graeme, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. A service will be held in York, enquiries to JG Fielders.