FAMILY and friends turned out in force last Monday to remember popular Andover businesswoman Brenda Locke.

Mother-of-two Mrs Locke, 69, died “totally unexpectedly” in her sleep on August 15.

Her funeral was held last week, with nearly 100 people attending St Peter’s Church and the Bourne Valley Inn in St Mary Bourne.

Mrs Locke spent the last 20 years book-keeping for a number of local organisations, was past president, newsletter editor and membership secretary of Andover Women in Business (AWIB) and recently worked as part-time finance manager at Test Valley Community Services.

‘Light up the office’

Friend and fellow past president of AWIB Vera Hughes said Mrs Locke made a considerable impact during her time working at Test Valley Community Services.

She said: “She quickly became a valued and much-loved member of the team, updating account systems, improving procedures and developing its payroll services.

“She will be remembered for her ready smile and her ability to light up the office whenever she walked in.

“The loss of someone within this small team has been felt deeply, leaving her colleagues and other members of the business community shocked and saddened at her passing.”

Mrs Locke’s talents extended beyond business.

She was a competent artist and loved the theatre.

As a child in St Albans, while her many siblings played, she would curl up in a corner and read.

Mrs Locke was naturally good at maths but also had a fascination with words, running evenings of “great enlightenment and hilarity” in her small reading group.

‘Always prepared to listen’

Mrs Hughes added: “Her whole life was full of variety, moving from being an army nurse, where she married her husband James, through a wide miscellany of work, including running a hotel and bringing up Daniel and Evan.

“Above all Brenda was generous with her time, always prepared to listen and support.

“A full gathering at St Peter’s Church and the Bourne Valley Inn remembered with affection and amusement Brenda’s many qualities and infectious ability to laugh at life.”