'Formidable': Jean Pateman at Highgate Cemetery in 2009. Pic: Nigel Sutton.

Tributes have been paid to a “formidable women” credited with turning Highgate Cemetery into “one of the most distinguished heritage sites in London”.

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Jean Pateman, 90, died of kidney failure at Whittington Hospital, in Magdala Avenue, Archway, last Saturday, following a fall at her home in View Road.

Since her death, friends and colleagues have paid tribute to Mrs Pateman for her 30 years as chairwoman of the cemetery’s Friends group, a role she retired from in 2009.

John Caird, 63, a trustee of the Friends group, said: “She was much-loved, she was a formidable woman – very strong-minded. She was someone who just got things done.”

In 1975, Mrs Pateman founded Friends of Highgate Cemetery and spearheaded the battle to regenerate the cemetery, which had fallen into disrepair and faced demolition.

Mr Caird, of South Grove, said: “By sheer willpower she turned something which was a scandalously neglected place into one of the most distinguished heritage sites in London.

“It was abandoned and unloved, it was falling into decay. Vandals would get in and damage the tombstones, so she secured it – that was the first thing she did – and she got volunteers in to help with landscaping.

“The crucial thing that Jean dreamt up was that it should become an active burial ground and a beautiful heritage site and that’s still the case today.”

Friend John Oakes, 70, praised Mrs Pateman, who was awarded an MBE in recognition of her work at the cemetery, for raising over £16 million for the cemetery during her time at the helm of the Friends group.

Mr Oakes, of Stanhope Road, Crouch End, described her as a “force of nature”, adding: “Some people were put off by her direct manner, but she was tremendously loyal to friends and she showed tremendous energy and devotion in managing the cemetery. She has left us a legacy that few can match.”