Mrs Queenie Ruth Hitchcock, of Glastonbury

The funeral service was held on Friday, June 12, at St Mary's Roman Catholic Church, Glastonbury, for Queenie Ruth Hitchcock who passed away on June 2.

The service was conducted by Father Kevin Knox-Lecky. Queenie was born in Chilcompton on November 11, 1919, the fourth of six surviving children, to William and Annie Lewis.

On leaving school she worked in Wells before moving to Glastonbury in 1938. At the age of 19 she married Raymond and they set up home at 2 High Street, Glastonbury. While Raymond was in the army from 1940 to 1946, Queenie variously worked in Bailey's factory and took in evacuees from Bristol before the arrival of their only daughter.

Queenie was a great needlewoman, always either sewing or knitting and spent many years behind the counter in "The Wool Shop". From there she was employed as a rent collector with Glastonbury Borough Council, pounding the streets in all weathers collecting the rents but always cheerful and with pockets full of sweets for the children. Later, with Mendip District Council, she was confined to the office as cashier and eventually retired at the age of 60.

In retirement Queenie still loved her needle- work which she pursued until her eyesight began to fail. She also loved to walk around the lanes, across the moors and around the Tor. Gardening, which she and Raymond did together until his death in 2004, was also a great joy to her and throughout her life her Victoria sponges were legendary.

Queenie will be greatly missed, not only by her family but also by all those who knew her and her welcoming smile.

Family mourners were: Margaret and Peter Poyntz-Wright (daughter and husband); Vincent Stimpson (brother-in-law); Barbara Lewis (sister-in-law) rep Guy and Nicola Lewis (nephew and wife); Elizabeth Hayden (niece) rep John Hayden (her husband).

Other mourners were: Father K Knox-Lecky; Helen Forsey (organist); Mr and Mrs G Hicks; Peggy and Ray Dyer; Mr and Mrs J Raison; Mrs Joan Green; Miss Linda Green; Ireen Hann rep George Hann; Joan Gifford; Esme Rider; Stan and Barbara Nurse; Sue and Phil Ackerman; Kim Woolmer; Gary Kerr; Claire Stillwell; Moira Pugsley; Maria Mahony rep Kate Kiddle; Mrs Joan Parsons rep Mrs S Probert; Martin Blake; Mrs N Goodland rep family; Mrs V Cole rep Mr M Cole; Mrs C Earner; Alex Poyntz-Wright; Isabel Poyntz-Wright; Daniel and Sarah Poyntz-Wright; Marie Miller rep Desmond Miller and Theresa and Louie Sadowy; Mr and Mrs M D'Ovidio; Gerry and Douglas Forbes; Maggy Payne; Natasha Mingo-West; Michael Protheroe rep Mrs Rita Davis; Sylvia and Derek Hankins.

The funeral arrangements were carried out and this obituary was provided by Forsey and Son, 28 High Street, Butleigh.