HER family and friends recalled “a true Fen gentlewoman” following the death of Lilian Hills at the age of 99.

Lilian was born in Chatteris in 1914, the eldest of seven children. Her father was a horse keeper so her family moved around different farms in the area.

Her schooling, recall her family, was limited and at the age of 14 she went into domestic service.

A family tribute recalls that she “learned many things and was determined to better herself.

“She made a great effort to read and write to a high standard and was interested in learning new things all her life. “Lilian also excelled in needlework and enjoyed making clothes for all the family and friends.”

In 1933 she married Herbert (Son) and she helped by working on the family farm.

They had two children Clive and Pearl.

Lilian loved to be with her family and as the family grew with the additions of grand children and great grand children her life was complete.

Son Clive remembers: “All the family enjoyed her wit and wonderful sense of humour.”

Lilian’s husband died suddenly at the age of 67 and she eventually moved to a flat.

Over the years she became more incapacitated with arthritis in all extremities but she kept busy.

At the age of 94, she was no longer able to remain safely at home and moved into residential care at Swan House, Chatteris.

Her family’s tribute concluded: “Everyone was saddened by her sudden death on April 16 and she will always be remembered as a true Fen ‘gentlewoman’.”