Elizabeth Ann Young, Lady Kennet, the widow of politician and writer the Hon Wayland Hilton Young, died on November 30 at the age of 91.

Lady Kennet, known to her friends as Liz, was born in London on April 14, 1923, into a naval family, and grew up travelling the world with her   father’s naval appointments, After three years in the Women’s Royal Naval Service, she worked with her future brother-in-law, ornithologist Sir Peter Scott,  at the Severn Wildlife Trust at Slimbridge.

She met her husband, the 2nd Baron Kennet, at a May ball and the couple married in 1948.

After Lady Kennet married she began writing, starting with an article in Vogue. She wrote on a wide range of mostly political issues, especially on disarmament, arms control and maritime affairs.

She had six children: William, Easter Russell, sculptor Emily Young, Mopsa English, and writers Louisa and Zoe Young.

She also had 12 grandchildren, one great-grandchild and also leaves her half-sister, Dinah Mathias, who lives in the USA.

She continued to draw, compose haikus and blog as Mrs Elizabeth Young until close to her death. A collection of her poems and drawings will now be produced by her relatives.

She was an active member of many east Wiltshire organisations including Action for the River Kennet, the Avebury Society and the Stonehenge Alliance, which aims to protect the World Heritage Site.

She was also involved with the Advisory Board for Redundant Churches, the Advisory Committee for the Protection of the Sea, the Royal United Services Institution, the Royal Institute for International Affairs, Chatham House, the International Institute for Strategic Studies, as well as contributing to various ad hoc political and conservationist groups.

Her funeral will be held at 2pm today at St Michael and All Angels in West Overton. Donations can be made to the Stonehenge Alliance.