Family tributes as much-loved Lady Eileen dies, aged 78

Determined to carry on to see her son fight for a seat on the local parish council despite being critically ill, her wish was just fulfilled, and she died two days after the election took place.

Her son, Sir Richard Soame, who was a Ukip candidate, said: "We had these goals throughout her illness and were going to set new ones when we got past the election but it wasn't to be. Although we didn't win, she was just pleased to still be with us."

A former beauty queen, Lady Eileen had been ill for more than a year.

The widow of Sir Charles John Buckworth-Herne-Soame, 12th Baronet, former county British Legion chairman and great Shropshire servant who died nearly two years ago, she was 78 and had lived in the Coalbrookdale area all of her life.

In recent times, Lady Eileen had worked for 25 years making the world famous Eleys pork pies for the Ironbridge-based business.

She and Sir Charles had been married for more than 50 years and their only son, Sir Richard, looked back fondly on his mother's life: "Mum, who was one of nine children, died peacefully in her sleep with her family at her side.

"She survived cancer longer than her doctors had predicted and even her consultant couldn't believe the fight she still had.

"She loved her job at Eleys and enjoyed it so much that she used to walk down to Ironbridge in the snow at 4am. Over the years, she met quite a few famous TV personalities.

"In her time, mum rang the bells at Coalbrookdale Church and was a member of the Parochial Church Council. She also supported dad with his British Legion commitments and was on the Gorge Chamber of Business for a few years.

"I remember that she raised money for the Christmas torchlight procession in Ironbridge, she played darts for the local Grove public house and once abseiled down Darby House for charity."

Lady Soame is survived by Sir Richard and her funeral service was taking place today at 2pm at Coalbrookdale Church followed by cremation at Telford.

Family flowers only, with donations welcomed for the Lingen Davies cancer fund and Ward 23, Oncology and Haematology, Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.