An Ipswich woman who died after a short, but brave battle with cancer has been called “the best little sister” her older sibling could have had.

Cherril Westmoreland died on Monday, August 8 aged 62, after being diagnosed with cancer in March.

Mrs Westmoreland was born in London and lived in Stratford until the age of eight, before moving to Leigh-on-Sea in Essex with her family.

She attended Southend-on-Sea College of Technology, completing a two-year course in retail display.

After graduating, she got a job in the chandlery at the Essex Yacht Marina at Wallasea Island, near Rochford, where she met Malcolm Westmoreland.

In July 1979, she joined what was then C.H. Fox and Son Ltd (which later became Fox’s Marina) in Wherstead Road, Ipswich as a chandlery assistant.

By the time she had moved to Ipswich, Mr Westmoreland was already the general manager and director of Fox’s and they married in December 1983.

The pair celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary just two days before Mr Westmoreland died in 2013. They had no children.

Outside of work the pair enjoyed boating and golf, playing around the world.

Her ashes will be scattered in the River Orwell, which is where her parents’ and husband’s ashes were also laid to rest.

When Mrs Westmoreland retired as a manager and director of the chandlery at the marina on the Strand shortly before her diagnosis.

Mrs Westmoreland’s sister, Sandra Engle, said: “She’s the best little sister I could have ever asked for.”

She is survived and dearly missed by her sister and family members in South Africa, Canada, Dubai and the UK as well as many friends.

Mrs Westmoreland’s funeral takes place on August 31 at 12noon at Seven Hills Crematorium in Nacton.