TRIBUTES have been paid to Anne Tibbs, a pillar of Lynchmere who has died aged 87.

Born in Trinidad in the Caribbean in 1932, her family moved back to England when she was aged one and settled in Kent.

In 1940, with the outbreak of war and the beginning of the blitz, they moved to live with the Pott sisters at Bunchfield in Lynchmere, who were aunts of Anne’s mother.

After the war, she enrolled at Chelsea College of Art to study medical illustration in 1950.

She met her future husband Michael Tibbs, son of the vicar of Lynchmere, at a party six months later.

He proposed after two weeks, before returning to the Sudan for a nine-month posting as assistant district commissioner.

The couple wed in 1952, but lived in Sudan until independence in 1955.

Back in England, they bought a house next to Anne’s parents, who still lived at Bunchfield, where Anne raised their two sons, Philip and Christopher.

Swiftly immersed in village life, she organised the decoration of Lynchmere Church for 50 years, and supported the Lynchmere pantomime, running the front of house, for even longer.

Michael and Anne published four books, including two on the history of Lynchmere, which she also illustrated.

Ten years ago she and Michael moved back into Bunchfield.

Anne leaves her husband, two sons, seven grandchildren and two great grand daughters.

Her funeral will be held at St Peter’s Church in Lynchmere on Friday, June 28, at 3pm.