Pauline Hoare, 89, who died after a long period of declining health, was well known to a wide community through her many years in the family business, Greatfield Nurseries, where she worked tirelessly.

Born Pauline Mary Hunt, she spent her early years at Coxstalls, Wootton Bassett, where she and her husband Bert Hoare first met at the High Street Wesleyan Chapel. Mr Hoare used to pump the chapel organ, and Pauline was organist. They were married there almost 70 years ago.

The chapel was demolished in 1964 as part of the Borough Fields road-widening scheme.

Mrs Hoare worked at the Co-op in Wootton Bassett High Street, at the building which is now a Sue Ryder charity shop.

She was also employed for a time at the former United Dairies Egg Depot, which occupied a site now developed as The Maltings.

Family and friends appreciated Mrs Hoare’s sense of humour, the many amusing anecdotes that she loved to share, and her kindness and concern for everyone. She is remembered as a wonderful person, a loving sister to Hilda (deceased) and Marion, a kind friend, a devoted wife to Bert, loving mother to Roger and Colin and a caring aunt to all her nieces and nephews. Pauline enjoyed flowers and plants and was fond of animals, especially dogs.

All Saints Church, Lydiard Millicent was filled on Monday for the funeral service, at which the Rev Tudor Roberts officiated and Roy Higgs gave the eulogy. Cremation took place privately at Kingsdown Crematorium.

Everyone was invited to share refreshments and further reminiscences at Lydiard village hall.

Memorial donations to benefit Wiltshire Air Ambulance or Battersea Dogs Home may be sent c/o Maslin Funeral Service, 118a High Street, RWootton Bassett SN4 7AU.