A MUCH loved mother, grandma and great-grandma, Cecilia Mary Grant Rawlings (nee Doran), died at the age of 81 at the Earl Mountbatten hospice after a long brave fight against cancer.

Born in Cardiff in 1939, Mrs Rawlings has been a resident of Ryde since the end of World War two.

Starting her education at St. Mary's Primary School and St. Theresa's Convent in Ryde, Mrs Rawlings later studied to become a teacher at Coloma College in West Wickham, Kent.

Over the course of several years, she taught mainly at Mayfield and Osborne middle schools in Ryde and East Cowes respectively.

During retirement, Mrs Rawlings was involved in a number of outdoor pursuits including sailing, managing youth hostels, Walk the Wight and fort talks, she also became a valued member of English Heritage and the National Trust.

In addition, she held a position as an active parishioner at St. Mary's Catholic Church in hometown Ryde.

Mrs Rawlings' pride and joy was her intimate and extended family and friends who she would travel to the end of the earth to see.

She will always be remembered for her larger than life personality, quirky sayings and immense zest for life.

She leaves behind four children: Andrew, Bernadette, Damian and Virginia, and a number of grandchildren.

A funeral service will take place at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Ryde on Tuesday 25 August, and is only for intimate family and friends due to Covid-19 limits.

Burial will take place afterwards at Binstead Cemetery. Should anyone wish to offer flowers it may be best to make a donation to the Mountbatten Hospice in Newport.

Mrs Rawlings' family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to Mountbatten for its outstanding care.