SHE helped hundreds of people in Blackbird Leys with their financial problems, despite privately battling her own demons for more than 30 years.

Moira Finn worked at the Agnes Smith Advice Centre for 12 years and came to the aid of people facing bankruptcy, homelessness or the threat of bailiffs.

However, an inquest heard yesterday how Ms Finn, 52, struggled to overcome her bi-polar disorder and eventually took her own life in January.

Last night, Laura Wilson, deputy manager at the Agnes Smith Centre, spoke of her sadness at Ms Finn’s death and the number of people she helped on the Leys.

Oxfordshire Coroners’ Court heard she died on January 23 after taking an overdose of Tramadol, a high-strength painkiller she used to combat the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.

Ms Finn, of Oxford Road, Cowley, previously tried to commit suicide in January 2008.

The inquest heard she was going through a difficult time, recently returning from a three-week stay with her daughter in New Zealand while trying to cope with the break-up of her relationship.

Ms Finn’s body was found by her sister, Carol Murphy, and their mother, who went to the house after not being able to make contact for three days.

Mrs Murphy said: “Since Moira was in her 20s she had psychotic problems.

“She battled her problems but became very depressed again after suffering a heart attack and later being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis.

“I last saw Moira on January 2. She had enjoyed her trip very much but was finding it hard to get back to her normal life.

“Her partner was not at home. They had broken up some months earlier, but I think it was probably the first time she had spent time alone at home. We had wanted to see her again, but the bad weather and a subsequent trip to France meant it didn’t happen.”

Mrs Murphy added her sister received “excellent care” from mental health services in the county.

Pathologist Dr Ian Roberts said: “The significant finding was a high level of Tramadol.

“It was an exceedingly high level, which indicated the ingestion of a large number of tablets.”

Recording a verdict that she took her own life, coroner Nicholas Gardiner said he had “no doubts” that was the case. He said: “She clearly had insufferable psychotic problems and it is perhaps surprising she managed hold out all of that time.”

Speaking after the inquest, Miss Wilson said: “Moira was an extremely important member of the team.

“She must have helped hundreds of people in the Leys who would have been facing their own struggles at the time. Moira was approachable, friendly and got to know so many people in the community. We’re all going to miss her very much.”