BEING the first woman to enter what was strictly a male domain would have been something to shout about for less modest individuals.

But for the Dorset Echo's first female reporter Marjorie Piggott, née Nightingale, working in a male-dominated newsroom was the chance to fulfil her natural curiosity about the world around her rather than shatter a glass ceiling.

This pioneering woman worked as a reporter for the Echo during the height of the Second World War and handled tragic hard-hitting stories with both professionalism and empathy, despite suffering her own private grief.

Her thirst to learn never quelled as she approached old age. Aged 73 Marjorie completed a four year MA in English literature with the Open University.

It was with much sadness that we reported the death of Marjorie aged 89, on January 18, but the anecdotes and memories from her family tell us of a life lived to the full without fanfare - just the way she liked it.

Marjorie started work in the advertising department of the Echo aged 15 and showed so much promise she was taken on as a cub reporter at the tender age of 17.

She entered what could often be a harsh newsroom environment and reported for the Echo throughout the region's involvement with the D-Day landings.

But Marjorie was suffering her own personal tragedy during the war when her brother Philip, who served in the Royal Navy on HMS Norfolk, was killed at the Battle of North Cape on Christmas Eve 1943. His name is on the memorial on Weymouth Esplanade.

Whilst reporting on the war Marjorie suffered from anxiety. Seeking help from the doctor she was told to take up smoking. Marjorie eschewed his advice and was a lifelong non-smoker.

She also reported on tragedies closer to home - severe flooding in Weymouth which had carried away a manhole cover. A man wading through the water disappeared down the hole and drowned.

Marjorie's son Raymond, who lives in Manchester, said Marjorie was modest about her reporting career.

"I don't think she thought it was anything remarkable. She was so proud of what she did at the Echo," he said.

On a day trip to the Isle of Wight with a girlfriend, Marjorie met RAF serviceman Ron Piggott, who would become her husband.

Ron and Marjorie married at St Anne's church in Radipole, Weymouth, where she sang in the choir.

Marjorie left the Echo in 1947 and went on to live in London with Ron, who joined the Metropolitan Police, and had children Vera, Raymond and Bernard.

But she had fond memories of her four years working at the Echo, during which she became a senior reporter and interviewed British-born Hollywood star Michael Rennie

She told the Echo: "I loved every minute of working at the Echo and because I was there during the war and the Germans were bombing Weymouth, there were so many interesting stories.

"I was very young when I started, but from the start I was always on duty no matter what time of the day or even if I was out for the night with friends. I was told that I had a good nose for a story, something that is still essential for good reporters now."

The couple eventually returned to Weymouth from London.

Marjorie said: "The Echo got in contact with me and asked if I wanted to take my old job back, but I decided not to because in those days you didn't work if you were married.

"I did a little bit of writing for the Press Association, giving them a few stories from the Weymouth and Portland area, but that was all."

The couple opened the Highway Driving School and then Piggott's DIY store in Weymouth, which thrived for more than 25 years.

Marjorie and Ron celebrated their Diamond Wedding Anniversary in 2007. Ron passed away aged 86 in 2009.

*Next week we're going to be sharing more of Marjorie's memories and some of her letters.

*Anyone who knew Marjorie is invited to her funeral on Thursday February 2 at 10.30am at Bank Baptist Church, the Esplanade, Weymouth, followed by cremation in Weymouth. Family flowers only but desired donations should go to Action Medical Research (for children) Cotton & Son, Milton House, 1 Milton Road, Weymouth, DT4 0AZ.

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