Popular Semington resident Mrs Betty Jean Bennett, who lived in the village for all her life, died suddenly on June 16 at the Royal United Hospital in Bath, aged 86.

Mrs Bennett was born in Semington on February 10, 1928, the eldest daughter of Floss and Ted Baker. She had one sister, Margaret, and had a lifelong love of nature after a childhood surrounded by animals.

She attended St George’s School in the village, and later went to work in Woolworths in Trowbridge on the electrical counter and later as manageress of the tea bar.

She spent many years as stewardess of the Semington Social Club and became very popular with the young members, of whom she was very fond. Her last job before retirement was as a midday lunch supervisor at St George’s School, where she was loved and respected by the children.

Her first marriage was to James Bond and they had two children, Lyn and Jude. She married her second husband of 44 years, Mac Bennett at County Hall in Trowbridge in 1970. She had two grandchildren whom she was devoted: Nicky, who died aged 20, and Travis, who lives in New Zealand.

Mrs Bennett always had a close relationship with the church and was a Sunday school teacher from the age of 15 at St George’s Church.

She was also a relief organ player, verger and later in charge of flower arranging, something she took great pride in.

She fought illness bravely throughout her life, having being struck down with pneumonia as a baby, which left her with an ongoing chest complaint. She coped with bilateral knee replacements, a broken hip and was in remission following breast cancer. Her family would like to thank her carers for always ‘going the extra mile’.

Her funeral service was held at St George’s Church, Semington. Donations in her memory can be made to the Alzheimer’s Society.