Final farewell to Edna

A FUNERAL service was due to take place today for an Ipswich woman renowned for her good character and helpful nature.

Edna Parker, who was famed for pushing a pram around the town, died last week at the age of 87.

Mother of eight, Mrs Parker lived in Allenby Road and walked everywhere.

Despite having a bus pass, she never caught a bus in her 87 years and had not visited a doctor for 44 years.

Gerry Hinde, Mrs Parker's son-in-law, said: "She was quite a character.

"If she saw bits of grass that hadn't been cut she would get her shears out and cut the grass.

"If there was broken glass on the path she would pick it up.

"She was amazing and honest as the day is long."

Mrs Parker's daughter Pauline Hinde said her mother was well known in the town but people would recognise her face more than her name.

She said: "It was nothing to see her over Nacton or Capel St Mary - she walked everywhere.

"A couple of times she got a lift in a police car because she had been found wandering on the A14.

"She would ask the police to drop her in another street.

"It was her walking and exercise that kept her going and she loved gardening."

Mrs Parker was born in Thorpe-le-Soken in Essex and moved to Kersey when she was small.

She attended Sproughton Primary School and became a housekeeper until she married in 1941.

Her husband John Charles Parker died 30-years-ago from cancer and Mrs Parker then lived alone until her death.

She had eight children Rodney, Rupert, David, Derek, Robert, Douglas, Pamela and Pauline.

Pamela died at 11 months and Rodney died from cancer 26 years ago.

She also had many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Mrs Parker suffered a stroke at the end of July and was admitted to hospital where she died on August 1.

Her funeral was due to take place at 9.30am today at the Old Cemetery in Ipswich.