PROMINENT Mildura tennis club figure Merle Watson is being remembered this week for her years of service to local tennis clubs and associations.

Mrs Watson, who passed away at Mildura Private Hospital on December 16, was well known in the tennis community due to her commitment of more than 70 years to the Sacred Heart Tennis Club.

Retiring this year from her role as secretary from the Sacred Heart club and the joint Sacred Heart and St Andrews club, Mrs Watson was awarded a tribute plaque last week as a thank you for her years of generosity and dedication.

The plaque stated that for Mrs Watson, no task was ever too difficult.

It said she organised senior teams, ladies' mid-week tennis and coached junior tennis players each week.

She also helped raise thousands of dollars for the club through fundraising efforts and hard work.

Throughout the years, Mrs Watson dedicated her time working with the Mildura Lawn Tennis Club and Pro Tours and she made marvellous contributions over the years to the Sunraysia District Tennis Association (SDTA).

Over the years Ms Watson has been the secretary of the Senior Sunraysia District Tennis Association, secretary of the SDTA junior tennis competition and organiser of junior tennis at Sacred Heart.

In 1979, Mrs Watson was awarded a life membership to the Sacred Heart Tennis Club, in 2003 was presented with a plaque that could be displayed on the court of her choice and in 2014 was awarded with a Certificate of Appreciation from Tennis Victoria.

She married fellow tennis player, Doug Watson, in 1949 and the pair had five children, Graham, Alan, Rodney, Tess and Lyn.

Mrs Watson will be remembered as a warm, welcoming and friendly woman.

The funeral service will be held on Wednesday 22 at 10am.