Long-standing supporter of St Helena Hospice in Colchester, Gwenyth Jefferies has died.

She lost her battle against cancer in Colchester General Hospital on Monday - her 87th birthday.

Miss Jefferies, who moved to Copford Court in Copford when her illness set in, had been involved with the hospice for about 12 years, and remained active until her death.

Chris Holmes, hospice vice-president and former chairman, paid tribute to the hospice trustee and friend he had known for 20 years.

He said:"I got to know Gwenyth in the early days when she was a great supporter of the hospice from the beginning together with her sister Peggy. She has been a staunch supporter of the hospice throughout.

"She was initially very formidable, but once you got to know her she had a lovely warm affectionate nature."

He said Miss Jefferies was "extremely kind" to many people who needed help.

Mr Holmes said she had lived a very full and active life, and had died surrounded by her friends.

She ran a business with her sister Peggy, the Jefferies Secretarial Services, until a few years ago.

Miss Jefferies was a member of Colchester and District Soroptimists for 32 years, and president of the branch in 1972/73.

Fellow Soroptimist Betty Lyes said: "Everything she did was with such enthusiasm. She was a wonderful person."

She was a finalist in last year's Colchester Woman in the Community Award run by the Soroptimists.

She was also a supporter of Colchester Garrison, and worshipped at the Garrison Church.

Her other sister Enid lives in Shrub End, Colchester.

Gwenyth Jefferies' funeral service takes place on Thursday at the Garrison Church at 2.30pm, followed by a cremation at Colchester Crematorium.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.