Maria Godfrey died in her sleep on January 23 at the age of 87.
She was the former manager of First Floor Club and Chev Club in Ipswich town centre, the first nightclub to open in the town back in 1966.
She was a much-loved mother to Susan and Michael, a grandmother and great-grandmother.
Her daughter, Susan, said: “She was a lot of fun, always the life and soul of the party.
“She was gregarious and friendly and very sociable. Just a bundle of fun.
“She was a big personality and one of a kind. We will miss her.
“She had a good life, and even to the day she died, she had bright coloured hair and nail polish always on. She was very glamorous to the end.”
She ran the club for around 25 years, with the venue playing a vital role for so many years in Ipswich’s nightlife.
Queues would form around the corner with Maria often standing on the door and greeting people outside.
Susan continued: “We all miss those days. My mum used to stand outside with people waiting to get in with her coat and she really had a party spirit about her.
“On New Years Eve for example, everyone would be trying to get into First Floor Club and as midnight came, the queues were still there, and she’d be there with hats and streamers making them party in the street.
“She was that kind of person, she would join in and befriend everyone.”
MORE: When the First Floor Club was the place to be seen in Ipswich
The club also attracted some of the biggest names in entertainment to Ipswich, with many having to get ready in the family home bathroom above the club.
Susan said: “We were obviously children, but we lived above the club and it was a nice lifestyle having photos taken with stars before we went to bed.
MORE: Days Gone By: First Floor Club was the only place for late-night fun for decades in Ipswich
“It was incredible to get to meet all the old stars. It was a bit of a whirlwind looking back.
“I think everyone who grew up in Ipswich knew who our mum was and they knew us because we were her children. It was surreal.
“She had this thing where she called everyone darling all the time which I think is how they will remember her as well as her distinct Maltese accent.”
Names including Ronnie Corbett, Diana Dors and Bob Monkhouse among many others performed at the club which was situated in Tacket Street.
Maria worked at the club until it was sold, moving away from the town just before lockdown to be nearer her daughter.
She will be having a private cremation and will be taken back to Malta for her interment amongst her family.
Read more here: Click Here
