OKEHAMPTON recently lost one of its oldest residents following the death of Mrs Pat Sanders, aged 101.

Pat was born in Exbourne in May 1919, where she grew up with her brothers Bill and Clifford. When she left school, she worked in the kitchen of Broomford Manor at Jacobstowe. It was there that she met her future husband Charlie Sanders, who was the understudy gardener to Pat's father.

Pat and Charlie were married at St James' Church in Jacobstowe in 1934. That same year tragedy struck when Charlie died, while Pat was expecting their son, Tim. Pat had to leave the home she shared with Charlie and moved back in to her parents' home where she brought up her son alone.

After Tim had grown up Pat moved to work at Corfe Castle in Dorset, taking the position of housekeeper on the farm. She often recalled with fondness the hours she spent driving the tractor across the farm's fields. She left Corfe Castle when her mother became ill, and returned to her old home.

A small lady in stature, Pat had a strong character, deciding at the age of 50 to learn to drive. She passed at the eighth attempt. Her two grandchildren Carolyn and Chris have many happy memories of driving around in circles with Pat, lost, but eventually making it up onto the moors in her old black Morris.

Her strength of character proved important in having to overcome a second personal tragedy when her son Tim died suddenly aged 59.

She then went to work at Hill Barton Farm at Yeoford, where she spent many years until her retirement to a flat in Okehampton. She kept her own home until she was 99, when she moved to Lyndridge Care Home.

Pat loved reading, crosswords and going on holidays both in the UK and abroad, though one of her favourite pastimes was a game of cards with friends. She continued to go out to whist drives and card games until she was 99.

She also loved the countryside and animals, but above all she adored her grandchildren and great grandson, and cherished spending Christmas together.

Her funeral service was held at St James' Church in Jacobstowe, where a service was conducted by Rev Dr Ruth Hansford. Max, Pat's 13-year-old great grandson gave the tribute and the Rev Hansford spoke in affectionate terms of this very remarkable lady, who was laid to rest in the churchyard with her husband Charlie, who had died 80 years earlier. The church was full with family and friends and in lieu of flowers, donations were given to the British Heart Foundation.

She leaves behind her two grandchildren, her great grandson and daughter-in-law.