Alice (Barrie) Hibbert

Mrs Hibbitt, who lived in Bromham and Devizes for almost 40 years, was brought up in London.

Her father, a seaman, died when she was aged four and she and her six sisters were brought up by their mother.

When the Second World War broke out, Mrs Hibbitt took calls for the fire service in Edgware Road, where she acquired her nickname Barrie, a shortened version of her surname Barron. On the day war ended, she took part in a victory parade on one of the fire engines.

She later became registrar of births, marriages and deaths in Paddington, a job she held until she retired at 60. It is thought she was the first woman registrar in London, if not the country.

At the age of 45 she met Ted Hibbitt, a widower with three children. They married in 1952 and, following retirement, decided to move to the country.

They lived in Church Hill, Bromham where Mrs Hibbitt became a volunteer with Meals on Wheels. They later moved to Moyne Close in Devizes, where Mr Hibbitt joined the bowls club and his wife helped with refreshments.

In 1986, three years after Mr Hibbitt died, Mrs Hibbitt and a few other women who lived in Moyne Close moved into the newly built Elizabeth House sheltered accommodation, also in the close. She lived there until she was 98 when she moved to a care home in Oxfordshire to be nearer her step daughter Frances Stevens.

When she celebrated her 100th birthday Mrs Hibbitt said that staying out of the sun was the secret of her longevity because that is what causes wrinkles.

Mrs Hibbitt achieved her dream of returning to Devizes to end her days. She moved into Avonmead care home, in Canal Way, five weeks before she died on January 8.

Her husband, who died aged 79, is buried in the churchyard of the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Devizes, where his wife will also be buried.

Her funeral is at 2pm on Monday at the Church of the Immaculate Conception. Donations to the RNLI, c/o John Stuart funeral directors.