Mrs Percival worked for nearly 40 years for Hull Music Service, teaching the violin and viola in primary schools, secondary schools and sixth form colleges.

After her official retirement in 2001, she still worked as a relief teacher for the Music Service and continued to give private lessons.

She was a violinist with local musical societies, including the Hull Philharmonic Orchestra, of which she was a member for more than 30 years, Hull Choral Union, Hull Bach Choir and East Riding County Choir, and a strong supporter of Hull Music Festival. She had to stop playing last autumn due to illness.

She was recently an active member of Swanland University of the Third Age where she was a choir member, as well as a member of the bridge, French, walking, family history and art appreciation groups.

Chris Maynard, now head of Hull Music Service and one of Mrs Percival's first pupils, said: "Marjorie was a thoughtful, caring and considerate teacher, Many of her pupils reached high standards and are now working as professional musicians and in musical education.

"Hundreds of people, both young and old, are very lucky to have known her and be taught by her."

Andrew Penny, musical director of Hull Philharmonic Society, said: "Marjorie made a huge contribution to music. As well as demonstrating great loyalty to the orchestra over the years she was a highly renowned teacher of the violin and viola and also a good pianist."

Born in Haydock, Lancashire, Mrs Percival studied maths, French and music at Leeds University where she briefly met her future husband, Geoff. Later, they got better acquainted while they were both taking teaching qualifications at the University of Hull. After a brief move to London, where they married in 1962, they returned to Hull.

Mrs Percival, who regularly swam 50 lengths before breakfast and loved walking, lived in Victoria Avenue, Hull. She died in Dove House Hospice, Hull, last Sunday night.

She leaves her husband Geoff, two sons David and Michael and seven grandchildren. The funeral service was held yesterday at Chanterlands Crematorium.