Tributes paid as boutique owner who brought fashion to Wolverhampton dies aged 89

Mrs Marion Sage was 89 years old.

She had been a buyer for Beatties before branching out on her own and launching Carousel, a ladies dress shop that opened in the centre of Tettenhall village in 1967. It was run by Mrs Sage and her cousin's wife and acknowledged as one of the first up to date boutiques in Wolverhampton.

Her husband Adrian had a menswear shop in Chapel Ash called Sage and Rostance before starting Adrian Sage Menswear on the opposite side of the street from his wife's business.

The couple lived at addresses in Finchfield, Penn and Tettenhall Wood before selling their shops around 1980 to follow their only child Mandy who had emigrated to Australia.

Mr and Mrs Sage, who were together for 70 years before her death on March 15, have four grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren. They lived in both Australia and New Zealand before moving back before returning to England and setting up home in Ottery St Mary in Devon.

Mrs Judith Jones, who also ran a boutique in the village and knew Mrs Sage well, recalled: "They did not stay long because they missed the grandchildren and so moved back to Australia to be with the family."

The couple later settled in Devonport, Tasmania where their home overlooked the sea. Mrs Jones, who visited the couple five years ago, said at her Tettenhall home: "Marion loved the sea and sailing and was extremely happy there. She was very bubbly and a lovely person but had been ill for about 18 months."

Mr and Mrs Sage had moved into a residential home in Devonport before her death. The funeral was held on March 20. Mr Sage, who remains a fervent Wolves fan, will be 100 years old in November.

Mrs Mary Hupperdine, a long time close friend of Mrs Sage, said at her Wolverhampton home today: "We kept in touch by letter. She always liked a laugh and a bit of fun. I am told that the mourners at the funeral carried out her wish by enjoying champagne and nibbles."