SANDFORD lost a longstanding resident, and “village character” when Diana Edworthy, aged 92, passed away on November 3.

The family is thankful that she was able to fulfil her wish to remain in her own home until she was admitted to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital on September 24.

This was followed by a short stay at The Old Rectory nursing home in Exeter where she passed away.

She leaves her children, Mike and Suze, daughter-in-law Alyson, son-in-law Paul and seven grandchildren: Rachel, Richard, Lara, Scott, Alex, Johnny and Helen.

Her eldest son, Christopher, sadly passed away in May 2020.

She was one of the village elders, having been born at Shute (near the Square) on October 6, 1929. She went to school at Sandford and then Crediton High School for Girls.

For a spell, during the War, she left the village and then returned to live at Belmont (next to the "Rose and Crown") in early 1940.

She was married in St Swithun’s Church to Gordon Edworthy who passed away in 1978 following an illness.

Her mother and father (Kathleen and "Jack" Haines) were also married in this church as were Mike and Suze. For a short time, Diana moved away from the village, returning in 1957 and had lived in Sandford ever since.

"Jack" Haines, her father, drove the Devon General bus.

The buses were garaged at Mill Street, Crediton at the time. In later days, up until the late 70’s/early 80’s, the Devon General service would have a stopover in Sandford at lunchtime to allow workers home for lunch. During this time, the drivers used to enjoy having a cup of tea with Kathleen Haines at Belmont who was grandmother to Chris, Mike and Suze.

Diana was very proud of the fact that she passed her motorcycle driving test which enabled her to enjoy riding with her father, husband and brother (Malcolm Haines).

She partook in village life serving as a governor for Sandford School, Clerk to Sandford Relief in Need for many years, booking secretary of Sandford Parish Hall and, in addition, helped out in the village store.

She was also involved in the group which organised the Millennium Path and, latterly, enjoyed being part of the St Swithun’s handbell ringers team.

She enjoyed attending the "Lovely Lunches” at Sandford Congregational Hall. She regularly attended the Sandford Parish Council annual parish meetings, voicing her opinions, and read in fine detail copies of Parish Council minutes kept in the Post Office.

The funeral took place at St Swithun’s, on Friday, November 19.

The family have created a Just Giving page for donations to Hospiscare in her memory: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/dianaedworthy .