ALWAYS smiling was how Glenis Fribbens was described by her husband, Colin.

Glenis, known as Glen by nearly everyone, died at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital on March 3 after a short illness, two days after her 75th birthday.

Colin was born in London and both grew up in Glen’s native Kent, Colin in Bexleyheath and Glen in Orpington, the second youngest of eight children.

They had met at the Ford garage at Dartford and married in 1979, in Kent, moving to Devon the following year to take over the Post Office and shop at Yeoford from Carol and Bill Wills.

They chose Devon for a complete change of lifestyle because Colin’s brother was Post Master in Uplowman.

“We decided to up sticks and get a Post Office in Devon as well,” said Colin.

Glen had two children who both went to Yeoford Primary School and then Queen Elizabeth’s in Crediton.

Colin and Glen played skittles and darts for the "Mare and Foal" (now "The Duck") for a number of years. However, after three years in Yeoford they moved to Crediton, moving nine times between 1983 and their present home in Elder Grove.

After they left Yeoford, Glen worked in Exeter and for A J Cox, butchers, in Crediton on the tills, never out of work, retiring 10 years ago.

Colin was a member of Crediton Bowling Club, introduced Glen to the sport and she became an excellent bowler, being Lady Captain at one time and a Devon Pairs champion one year with her partner.

Very good at making cakes, Glen had made all the wedding cakes for the family.

With Colin, she leaves four grandchildren living in Crediton, three in the Midlands and one great grandchild in Australia.

Almost 30 people attended the funeral service held for her on March 18 at the Exeter and Devon Crematorium. There was also a video link.

Donations were for the Stroke Association and may still be made through LeRoy Funerals, 94-95 High Street, Crediton, EX17 3LB.