THE daughter of a 93-year-old woman who died in a Worcester park this week has spoken of her love and affection for a mother who was a hugely independent, talented former Alice Ottley pupil.

The body of Sybil Shrimpton was found in Northwick Lodge playing fields on Wednesday after she collapsed from a heart attack on her way home from the post office.

Her daughter Rosemary Robinson said there was no better place for her mother to spend her last moments than in the scenic park near to where she had lived happily for about 70 years.

She paid tribute to a "real Worcester woman" and said: "She was talented, very giving and she had a lovely sense of humour. She was determinedly independent and a lady.

"She was very much old-school, just lovely and so kind and thoughtful. We miss her."

Grandson James Robinson said: "She was the sort of person you'd go to if you wanted no-nonsense advice. She was warm and welcoming but she got her own way too."

Mrs Shrimpton had been looking forward to a family lunch planned for her 94th birthday on Sunday, January 13 and a trip to Lanzarote.

She was born Sybil Rowe in 1914 and grew up in Blanquettes Avenue, Barbourne, where she attended Sunnyside school and then Alice Ottley. She studied at design school in Birmingham before working as a designer for Wolsey in Leicester.

She later returned to the city where she met Ray Shrimpton, who she married in 1939. She was a WREN and later worked at Morganite Crucible.

The couple moved to Northwick Road - where they lived opposite the Northwick Lodge playing fields where she died - with their three children David, Rosemary and Arthur.

After being widowed in 1977, she moved to a bungalow in Old Northwick Lane and later Constance Road.

Mrs Robinson said up until her death, her mother was busy gardening, playing bridge, flower arranging at Claines Church and a member of the Women's Institute.

The grandmother-of-nine was also a watercolour artist who exhibited and sold her work, a regular churchgoer, belonged to the Inner Wheel and delivered Meals on Wheels for the WRVS, sometimes to people younger than herself.

A service of thanksgiving will be held at Claines Church on Thursday, January 17.