MARIE Stonebridge, of High Street, Cheveley, died in Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, on March 2 after an illness lasting some months. She was 88.
Born and educated in Durham, she spent much of her working life in the Merchant Navy and was a stewardess on Union Castle ships for 28 years.
She had many notable memories of her life at sea, including the day in 1953 when her ship rescued the ent
ire 253 crew and passengers from the sinking vessel Klipfontein while in the Mozambique Channel.
She was involved in the dogs section of the Auxiliary Territorial Service during the war years and trained the dogs at Northaw, Hertfordshire.
Always active, she was a member of Cheveley Evergreens, where she arranged speakers, and had several hobbies including doing crosswords, Scrabble, and investigating meanings and origins of unusual words.
She was also committed to the welfare of animals and supported Wood Green and Redwings Donkey Sanctuary among others.
Miss Stonebridge leaves a sister Jean, nephew Dan and great-nieces, Beth and Celia.
Her funeral took place at West Suffolk Crematorium, Risby, on March 9 and the Rev Ann Gurner took the service.
Family and other mourners were: Jean Stonebridge, Dan Davison (rep Ann and Arthur Stonebridge), Christa Fenton (Dr B Weaver, Beth and Celia Kay), Betty Coe (Anita, Trevor, Johanna and Jeremy Swann and Camilla Blyth), Sylvia Wilson (Jill Deall), John Godfrey, Wendy Godfrey, Reg Godfrey, Sylvia Godfrey, Mrs Everett, Betty Tweed (Cheveley Evergreens), Alf Ottley, Mr and Mrs Hugh Hellewell and Cheveley Royal British Legion branch members.
