THE community of South Zeal has been saddened by the death of Diana England, who had been village postmistress since 1963.
Mrs England assumed the role from her mother Elsie Endacott and recently marked 100 years of postal services at her home.
She was justifiably proud of her family's long service in the post office and she could recall that the post office was either taken on or opened in the family home on the day her mother was born.
Mrs Endacott was related to Mary Crocker who was postmistress until 1923 and James Weaver then took on the role until 1945 when Mrs Endacott became postmistress and her husband George, postman, who was regularly seen walking the village on foot, bag on back.
Mrs England's service to the community was not, however, solely limited to the post office counter — she was a great supporter of the chapel and was a star in the village pantomimes.
Many times in local shows, she played opposite David, the man she was to marry and together they continued to use their talents to entertain others and support church, chapel, schools and groups.
Her memories of her childhood days included those of there being a telephone box situated in the middle of the post office which she enjoyed using as a playhouse when no-one else was occupying it; of the sacks arriving at 6.40am and of selling stamps when she was five or six.
The post office is currently being relocated to the Maid Marion stores in South Zeal and will be open from the beginning of July.