Former Bradford-on-Avon housekeeper Connie Smith, who had just celebrated her 100th birthday on April 26, died on Tuesday night.

Mrs Smith was born in Birmingham, where she met and married her husband Ben in 1934.

She worked in a munitions factory during the Second World War whilst her husband served in the army.

Tragically their home was destroyed during heavy bombing on the city, so she was evacuated to Evesham, where she gave birth to their daughter, named Connie after her mother.

They lived in Birmingham until 1954 when the family moved to Bradford-on-Avon where Mr Smith took the job of maintenance engineer at the Maternity Hospital and the District Hospital.

Mrs Smith spent many happy years working at Woolley Grange as housekeeper during the time it was a residential home for sisters and nurses, working at both hospitals.

Mr Smith died in 1990, and Mrs Smith, who was living at Widbrook View, moved to Bethel Court, where she later met fellow resident Charles Bray.

They built a home together in Holt where they lived until his death in 2007, when she moved to a care home in Mere and later to Goatacre Care Home three years ago.

Mrs Smith, an accomplished seamstress and a good baker, was a member of the WI in Bradford-on-Avon and in Birmingham.

She had four sisters and a brother.

Only one of her younger sisters is still alive.

She enjoyed taking part in days out, quizzes and social activities at Goatacre Care Home.

Daughter Connie Herring, 72, who visited on her birthday on April 26, said: “She taught me to sew and to knit.

“She was a very gentle lady, very kind and very caring.

“She was always there for any friend or neighbour who needed help and always such a loving mum.”