Marie Blackman, 72, of Royal Wootton Bassett, was an exceptional person who used her God-given talents to benefit others, the Rev Canon Thomas Woodhouse told the large congregation at her funeral in St Bartholomew’s Church on December 30.

Mrs Blackman's death, after a brief illness, is a great loss to her husband Melvyn, their family and Mrs Blackman’s countless friends and associates.

“Marie was kind, strong, generous and determined, and her extraordinary flower arrangements were works of art that we were privileged to see,” the vicar said.

Mrs Blackman, who was a former chairman of Wootton Bassett Flower Club, gained success in many competitions, and shared her skills with others at practical classes that she led with great distinction. Her superb floral designs in the parish church’s Chapel of Repose, between Maundy Thursday and Easter Day, were particularly memorable.

She had City & Guilds qualifications in floral art, had exhibited over a wide area and was a NAFAS regional flower arranger at a Westminster Abbey festival.

Mrs Blackman was originally from Ashton-under-Lyme, where her early years were challenging, especially after the loss of both parents.

She worked in the borough treasurer’s office before moving with her late husband Archie, to Worcester and then to Swindon, Cricklade and Wootton Bassett. She cared devotedly for her late husband, who became ill in the 1970s.

She and her second husband Melvyn, who first met as colleagues at the Victoria Hospital in Swindon, gained many friends through their stalwart membership of St Bartholomew’s Church, Wootton Bassett, and their involvement in the local community.

She was a former chairman of The Friends of New Court Surgery, the patient participation group. Her career, which included work at Swindon College finance department, enabled her to develop financial expertise that was of great benefit during her service as parish church treasurer. She was also a member of the church choir for some years. After retiring 12 years ago, Mrs Blackman enjoyed a very active life, and took long walks. She showed her customary common sense and resilience in dealing with breast cancer, was devoted to her family and relished her many pursuits, Canon Woodhouse made a special point of addressing her young granddaughter, with whom Mrs Blackman spent many happy times. The service included her favourite hymn, In All the Changing Scenes of Life, and the choir sang another favourite – Psalm 121, ‘I lift up my eyes to the hills’.

Cremation took place privately at Kingsdown. The family invited everyone to meet them afterwards at The Angel Hotel.

Memorial donations for Action Medical Research or Cancer Research UK may be sent c/o Johnson & Daltrey Funeral Service, 112 High Street, Royal Wootton Bassett SN4 7AU, or online atwww.JD-FS.co.uk