By Isle of Wight ObserverAn Isle of Wight councillor and god-daughter to inspirational aviator Mary Ellis has written a beautiful tribute to her life.
Mary Ellis died age 101 on Thursday (July 26), she was one of the last living female pilots from the Second World War.
Her war time duties involved delivering Wellington bombers and Spitfire fighter planes to Royal Air Force squadrons all over the land.
The truly inspirational pilot managed Sandown Airport for some 20 years and founded the Isle of Wight Aero Club.
Mary helped pave the way for women in the Air Force today and was an inspiration to women everywhere – including god-daughter Councillor Clare Mosdell.
Cllr Mosdell, Conservative representative for Arreton and Newchurch, took to social media to pay tribute to her beloved godmother.
She said: “I am probably the most honoured and privileged person to have had such a huge role model in their life as Mary.
“To grow up thinking as a woman you can do whatever you want in a man’s world and still remember you are a woman was such a big lesson to me, and I will never forget it.
“Please remember Mary as she would want you to remember her, as one of the women that didn’t just change aeronautics, but the way women were treated in the world of aviation.
“In order for us to succeed we must at first believe.”
See Twitter tributes to Mary’s trailblazing life below:
More awful news. RIP Mary Ellis. A legend of the Air Transport Auxiliary. Over 1000 aircraft; 76 different types and over 400 Spitfires alone. I hope you’re enjoying a well-earned sherry up there with Joy Lofthouse again. Blue skies Ma’am #LestWeForget pic.twitter.com/1v0yCbniJG
— Mike Ling MBE (Red 3) (@MikeLingPilot) 25 July 2018
RIP 101 Mary Ellis. A WW2 heroine. Flew 400 Spitfires & 76 other different types of aircraft into position. There will never be another you or your generation. We are here today speaking English and not German because of your generation!
— Lacey Keith Bsc (@bioverte) July 26, 2018
Thank you, #MaryEllis, for your bravery, your service, and your legacy. God bless.
— Dan St. John #VetsResistSquadron🌊 (@spicepirate00) July 26, 2018
A true national hero and real British legend. RIP Mary. #MaryEllis https://t.co/qhmrKRr16H
— Mark (@marki1203) July 26, 2018
We are forever inspired by Mary Ellis, and will miss her presence greatly!!!
— FlyGirls (@FlyGirlsWW2) July 26, 2018
Isle of Wight Observer