A popular Bicester licensee has died after a short illness.

Rose McKeon had run the family-owned Littlebury Hotel in King's End with her husband Malachy, sons Michael, Malachy, Paul and Denis, since 1959.

Born in 1925, Mrs McKeon was evacuated from London to Blackthorn, near Bicester, in 1940 along with her mother and two sisters, Doris and Eileen. The Gardner girls from the big city caused quite a stir when they arrived to stay at the Rose and Crown pub in the quiet village.

Mrs McKeon worked as a welfare officer at the Bicester Ordnance depot and it was while working there she met Malachy McKeon, a quiet Irishman from Drogheda, Count Louth, who worked in the haulage trade in Bicester.

They married in Bicester's Catholic Church in 1950 and three years later took over the Rose and Crown pub in the Causeway, Bicester.

Six years later they bought the Littlebury House and turned it into the hotel, which now has 36 bedrooms.

Whenever possible, Mr and Mrs McKeon and sons would holiday in Ireland where their passion for horse racing was realised as they visited several race meetings with Killarney being a favourite.

In 50 years, Mrs McKeon is thought to have attended every Cheltenham festival. Mr McKeon died in 2005.

Reflecting on their mother's life in the town, her sons described her as an important part of the community as a generous and caring individual. They recalled the strong influence she had on all of them, particularly the strong family values and the need to work hard. Paul said: "Her smile and enthusiasm would light up a room."

Her daughters-in-law, Maggie, Judy and Sha remembered a titan of a woman who fought to the final second. And an amazing lady with a huge presence.

Mrs McKeon supported numerous charities. The hotel lounge is the venue for regular fundraising coffee mornings.

The Littlebury is also the meeting place for various Bicester clubs.

Over the years she had received several awards.

Of special note to the family was the honour of her receiving a Citizen's award and being named a Paul Harris Fellow by the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International.

The grandmother of nine and great grandmother of one will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Mrs McKeon will be reposing at the Littlebury Hotel, until her removal to the Church of the Immaculate Conception on Sunday, at 6pm. The funeral will be on Monday, at 11am followed by burial in St Edburg's churchyard. Family flowers only.

Donations can be made to the stroke unit at the John Radcliffe Hospital.