One of the Manningtree area's oldest and best-known residents Eileen Jackson has died following a fire in her home.

Miss Jackson died in hospital on Monday following the accident at her home last week. She was 95.

For many years, Miss Jackson's family lived at Mistley Place Park, a site now occupied by the Environmental and Animal Rescue Centre in New Road.

Originally from Dovercourt, where her parents ran the Tower School, Miss Jackson moved to Mistley when both the school and family transferred to the village.

Although a quiet and private person, Miss Jackson had many friends.

She had been actively involved with many organisations in the area, among them the Conservatives Association, The Manningtree Society, the Museum and Local History Group and had been a long standing member of Mistley Parish Church.

As an enthusiastic gardener, Miss Jackson had continued to work on her allotment at The Walls.

The funeral will be a private ceremony but a service of thanksgiving is to be held in St Mary's and St Michael's Church, Mistley, on Monday, April 4.

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Published Wednesday, March 2, 2005

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