A FAMILY has paid tribute to great-grandmother Christine Roworth, who died last week at the age of 101.

Although Christine spent the last few years of her life in Derbyshire, she lived in Swindon for many years where she brought up her family. She was married to Guy Roworth, who was a renowned gynaecologist and obstetrician firstly at the then Victoria Hospital and later at the Princess Margaret Hospital in Okus Road before his death in 1967.

Her son, Michael, 68, described his mum as someone who adored her family, enjoyed life and always knew her mind.

He said: “I would describe her as someone who liked to have fun and really enjoyed spending time with her family. I think having a big family meant a lot to her.

“Even up to her death she had a strong voice and would tell you if she thought something was wrong.”

Christine was born in Plymouth in 1912 before her family moved to Oxford. It was there, while in her teens, where she first met Guy who was a schoolfriend of her brother, Richard.

She trained as a nurse and then a midwife at UCH London where she met Guy again and they became engaged in 1937.

However, before they married, Christine went travelling around Europe, staying with family members, before returning back to the UK following the deteriorating political situation. The trip always remained one of the most enjoyable times of her life.

She married Guy in 1939, although the wedding had to be brought forward as he had been called up to the Navy as a Ship’s Surgeon. His cruiser, HMS Cornwall, was away at sea for three years.

At this point Christine returned to her family, who had moved to Woking, and worked there as a midwife. In the early part of the war she volunteered in the evenings as a nurse on a bus which had been converted into an emergency ambulance.

When he returned, Guy was posted as commander of the Naval Hospital, in Holyhead, with Christine joining him shortly after.

Following the war, Guy was appointed as the first Consultant Gynaecologist & Obstetrician in Swindon where the family set up home.

Christine gave up work to raise her family and they lived at a number of addresses around the town before Guy’s death. Christine then spent many years in Old Town before moving to Derbyshire to be close to her son Michael.

She leaves behind a daughter, Rosalind, and sons Michael, Bob, Ted and Peter, five grandchildren Alan, David, Poppy, Philip, Nicole, Tom and Anna, and great-grandchild Joey.

The funeral will take place at Chesterfield Crematorium on December 23 at 3.10pm. Family flowers only but donations can be made to the Moorlands House Methodist Care Home, via the funeral directors J.E. Noutch on 01433 651490.