MARIAN Cherry died suddenly but peacefully at home in Northleigh, Bradford on Avon, on Saturday, aged 78.

She was born in Blackpool on March 30 1929, the daughter of a tax inspector. She had an older brother who later went on to become senior lecturer in English at the University of Hull.

The family moved to Whitefield, just north of Manchester, and Mrs Cherry attended Stand Grammar School before going to study domestic science in Leicester.

She went on to teach domestic science at Broughton High School near her home in Whitefield.

While she was there she met her future husband, Robert Cherry, when the two were members of a joint cricket and tennis club in the town.

They were married in July 1952 and went on to have two children, Sarah, born in March 1954, and Jill, born in December 1955.

The family moved to Bradford on Avon in June 1957 when Mr Cherry, a structural engineer, went to work for a firm in Bath.

He later went into private practice as a consultant engineer working on bridges, buildings and churches in the area, including Badminton House.

The couple's two daughters went to Christ Church Primary School and then Fitzmaurice Grammar School.

Mrs Cherry enjoyed playing golf and was a member of Kingsdown Golf Club near Box.

She would complete The Daily Telegraph crossword every day so that her husband would have to make a copy of the newspaper so he could read it.

Being a domestic science teacher she was an accomplished cook, and also enjoyed sewing and knitting and propagating plants.

She and her husband also enjoyed many trips to France, where they have friends.

Mr Cherry paid tribute to the ambulance staff and policeman called to the couple's home after Mrs Cherry's death on Saturday.

Donations in Mrs Cherry's memory can be made to Wiltshire Air Ambulance through Chris Bowyer Ltd.

Her funeral will be held at the West Wiltshire Crematorium, Semington, on Wednesday at 12.15pm, followed by a gathering at the Leigh Park Hotel, Bradford on Avon.

3:53pm Thursday 27th March 2008

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