TILFORD village is in deep shockafter the sudden death of All Saints Church resident priest, and one of the Church of England’s first female priests, Reverend Canon Heather Humphrey.

Rev Humphrey, who was made deacon at Worcester Cathedral in 1990 and priested with the first women in 1994, collapsed and died at home in Tilford on Friday, February 23, aged 71.

It came just days after she was involved in a car accident outside Frensham Garden Centre in The Reeds Road on Monday, February 19 - with the Surrey Coroner confirming an investigation into Rev Humphrey’s death “is ongoing”.

Rev Humphrey arrived in Tilford in January 2014 having served as an Honorary Canon of Worcester Cathedral, and before that as a vicar in the Midlands at the same time as being a deputy headteacher of a church school.

She became an active participant in village life and had a great affinity for children, leading fortnightly assemblies at All Saints CofE Infant School as well as paying regular visits to the village nursery school.

Rev Humphrey was also an active member of Tilford WI and various other village organisations, an accomplished artist, and is survived by two adult children and one granddaughter.

Reverend John Morris, vicar of The United Benefice of The Bourne and Tilford, led the first Sunday service at All Saints following Rev Humphrey’s death and the Bishop of Guildford, Andrew Watson, joined members of her family and a large congregation of parishioners to pay their respects.

Bishop Andrew afterwards posted on Twitter: “Dropped in on All Saints Tilford this morning to weep with those who weep following the sudden death of their priest Heather Humphrey. Moving to see the community come together around word and sacrament.”

All Saints churchwarden Susan Small added: “Heather’s death completely knocked us for six, but there’s been a lovely outpouring of love and support from everybody because she touched the lives of so many people in the village.

“She was such a warm and caring person and loved everybody, and was from that point of view a great example to us all.”