BLACKBIRD Leys parish councillor Sheila Smith, who has died aged 78, was a passionate – and prize-winning – gardener.

A well-known member of the community in Blackbird Leys, she had worked as a parish councillor for the past two years.

Along with her husband Errol, who died at the age of 79 just 11 weeks before her death, the great-grandmother was passionate about gardening.

The couple entered and won many Oxford in Bloom competitions throughout the years.

In their memory, a family member will be attending the Oxford in Bloom prize presentation evening next week.

A special trophy has also been made, with the inscription ‘in memory of Errol and Sheila Smith’.

Sheila Rosemary Smith was born in Oxford on January 18, 1937, to coal merchant Frederick Palmer and Mary, who helped run her husband’s business.

She had three siblings; John and Freda who have also died, and Joyce, age 86.

Mrs Smith grew up in Hollybush Row, Oxford, and attended St Thomas’s Primary School until she was 11, followed by South Oxford Secondary School.

On leaving school, at the age of 16 in 1953, she began working in the print shop at Oxford University Press in Walton Street and stayed there for four years.

She married her husband Errol in St Andrew’s Church, Headington, on February 23,1957, and the couple moved to Marston to begin their life together.

Three years later they moved to Blay Close in Blackbird Leys.

The pair had three children; Lyn born in 1957, Tina born in 1959 and Debbie born in 1962. Between 1957 and 1962 Mrs Smith stayed at home to care for her children.

She then worked as a cashier and supervisor at the VG store in Blackbird Leys until 1977.

She also worked as an assistant at bookbinders Henry Brooks from 1977 to 1980 and then a vault librarian at Nielsen’s in Headington from 1980 to 1992, when she took early retirement.

Her family said Mrs Smith led a very busy life, and spent a lot of time getting involved with issues presented to Blackbird Leys Parish Council, when she attended meetings as a member of the public.

She became a councillor about two years ago and was well-liked by her colleagues.

Mrs Smith’s passions included her garden, her Koi carp, and her rescue dog – a Jack Russell named Poppy.

The couple’s youngest daughter Debbie is attending the Oxford in Bloom awards ceremony next Thursday on her parents’ behalf.

Mrs Smith’s best friend and fellow councillor Ann Booker has donated a trophy to the awards, inscribed with the words “in memory of Errol and Sheila Smith”.

Mrs Smith became a full time carer for her husband after he fell and fractured his hip.

But she was able to carry on working with the parish council and tending her garden.

Her sister Freya Cox also died three weeks ago, aged 91.

Mrs Smith died suddenly on Thursday, August 20, after suffering a heart attack.

She leaves behind her three daughters, nine grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

Her funeral will be held on Monday at The Church of the Holy Family in Blackbird Leys, starting at noon.

The service will be followed by a 1pm burial at Botley Cemetery.