Vera Wardell

The great-grandmother, formerly of St John’s Close, died on Sunday, February 28, at her care home in Taunton.

She was well-known in the village for her love of pottering around her garden, and scooped first prize for ‘Best Garden in Pewsey’ three years running, which she was very proud of.

Mrs Wardell was also awarded the John Cook Cup by Pewsey Parish Council in recognition of her consistently lovely garden all year round.

And despite being in her nineties, she loved to walk down to the village and spent many happy hours rummaging through the treasures in Cossor’s Shop and the Prospect Hospice charity shop, where she was known as a friendly face by all the staff.

Born Vera Songhurst in South London, just after the end of the First World War, she worked in service to the Guinness family in St James’ Square as a teenager. Later, she met her husband Victor while they were both working in the Charing Cross Station branch of Boots the Chemist, and they married at the start of the Second World War.

Mrs Wardell raised three sons in Catford and moved to Pewsey after her husband died in 2005 to be close to her family. She is survived by her half-brother John, her three sons Robert, Chris and Bill, seven grandchildren and many great-grandchildren.

Her funeral has taken place in Taunton, and her ashes will later be scattered in her beloved Pewsey Vale. Donations in her name will be divided between The Alzheimer’s Society and Cancer Research UK.

Mrs Wardell’s daughter-in-law Anne Wardell said: “Vera will always be remembered as an absolutely lovely lady.”