Mrs Winifred Dry began feeling unwell in early 2024 after developing a persistent cough. In September 2024, she was taken by ambulance to Royal Liverpool Hospital with severe breathing difficulties.  

Following several months of investigations, she was diagnosed with mesothelioma - a terminal cancer caused by exposure to asbestos - in January 2025. She sadly passed away on 22 March 2025, aged 77. 

Following her diagnosis and prior to her death, Mrs Dry instructed Paula Wrigley, an asbestos specialist at Thompsons Solicitors’ Liverpool office, to investigate her exposure. Her son, Anthony Dry, is now continuing that search for answers on her behalf. 

While Mrs Dry worked in a variety of roles throughout her life, including in care homes and retail, she spent a significant part of her working life in industrial settings.  

During the 1970s, she was employed at Pioneer Laundry on Endbutt Lane, Crosby, where she was responsible for pressing men’s dress shirts using large industrial press machines, as well as Hillside laundry in Bootle.  

She later worked at Maxheat Industries Ltd on Rimrose Road, Bootle - an electric fire manufacturing company - where she worked on the production line assembling electric fires, including inserting metal bars and drilling into heat-resistant boards. 

Mrs Dry

 

Speaking to her legal team before her death, Mrs Dry expressed concern that it was during her time in these industrial roles that she believed she was exposed to asbestos. 

Her family is now appealing to anyone who worked alongside her – and particularly those who worked at Pioneer Laundry or Maxheat Industries during the 1970s - to come forward with information about working conditions. 

Commenting on their battle for answers, and his mother’s passing, Anthony said: “Mum worked hard all her life, often in tough conditions.  

“She was a loving mother and a proud worker. Her diagnosis came as a terrible shock, and she passed away so quickly after. We just want to know how she came to be exposed, and whether more could have been done to protect her. We’re looking for closure and peace of mind.” 

Paula Wrigley, from Thompsons’ industrial disease team, added: “Mesothelioma is a devastating and entirely preventable disease. We are keen to speak to anyone who remembers working with Mrs Dry at any point in her career - and especially anyone who has knowledge of working conditions at Pioneer Laundry or Maxheat Industries during the 1970s.” 

Anyone with information is urged to contact Paula Wrigley at Thompsons Solicitors on 0151 224 1608, or via email at PaulaWrigley@thompsons.law.