RICHARD BATSON Doreen Batson, a caring charity worker who was a well-known figure in Norfolk's Townswomen's Guild and Royal British Legion, has died suddenly aged 81.

RICHARD BATSON

Doreen Batson, a caring charity worker who was a well-known figure in Norfolk's Townswomen's Guild and Royal British Legion, has died suddenly aged 81.

Mrs Batson, was a former chairman of the regional TG federation, and was, at the time of her death chairman of the Thorpe Guild, and the Thorpe Legion women's section.

Born in Seghill in Northumberland on November 16 1925 she met her late husband Frank, a railways property surveyor, while serving in the WRAF.

Moving to his native Norwich, she worked at Jarrold's bookbinding department before taking a break to raise son Richard, then switched careers to become a popular school cook at Mousehold Avenue and Falcon Road, retiring in 1986.

After being widowed a year later, she threw herself into church and community life, starting with a church luncheon club and helping at the Red Cross canteen at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital.

At the Heartsease Lane Methodist Church Mrs Batson was a steward and pastoral visitor, and used her cooking skills to help with lunches.

She joined the TG in 1992, was secretary for two years then became chairman from 1998.

Mrs Batson was chairman of the East Anglian Federation from 2003-6, and led its drama and music section, as well as representing the region and branch at national events. Two years ago Guild members from Norfolk and Suffolk sprang a surprise 80th birthday party for her.

A founder member of the re-formed Thorpe RBL women's section since 1989 she went on to be a standard bearer, attending national rallies, and for the past two years kept the branch going virtually single-handedly by taking the roles of chairman, secretary and treasurer.

TG and church colleague Tricia Buckley, said: “She has left lots of holes in people's lives. She was so open and willing. Everybody loved her.”

She leaves a son, granddaughters Carys and Bethany, brother Jim and sister Margaret.

The funeral will be held at Heartsease Lane Methodist Church on Wednesday October 31 at 1pm following by committal at St Faith's.