Tributes were paid to a ’supportive and loving’ woman who devoted much of her life to the island community.

Pat Heath, who settled in the island at the age of 17 after moving from Essex, died aged 95 following a long battle with oesophageal cancer.

She was said to have ’led a full life, full of energy and verve’. Her daughter, Linda Jackson, said: ’The priority for her was being very supportive and loving. She was always active, playing tennis or bridge... she was never somebody to sit down for too long.’

In 1976 Pat, of Douglas, was awarded the title of Officer of the Most Venerable Order of St John of Jerusalem, a royal order of chivalry, for her extensive charity work. Her name will be included in a special service at St Paul’s Cathedral in London later this year.

She was a county superintendent for St John Ambulance for about nine years and served on the committee of Noble’s Hospital League of Friends for 35 years.

Other work included being a stenographer for the Summerland Fire Disaster Inquiry, honorary secretary to the Isle Of Man Council on Alcoholism, an island honorary award liaison officer for the Duke of Edinburgh Award and a prison visitor for solitary females.

Pat moved here in 1941 and began working for the government at the Douglas Internment Camp before becoming an executive assistant to the chairman of Dowty Engineering, which made aircraft parts for Lancaster Bombers.

’She enjoyed flying down to Cheltenham taking orders for the aircraft as it was critical to keep these aircraft in the air.’ Linda said. Pat and her late husband Eric Heath, a general manager of Isle of Man Bank, encouraged Linda’s interest in horticulture. The family are starting a sustainability seed bank project in memory of Pat to help children to grow vegetables at home.

The funeral service was held at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Thames Ditton, Surrey. She will be greatly missed by her daughter Linda, grandchildren Graihagh, Charlie and Scott, son-in-law Simon Alcock, family and friends.