TWO daughters have paid tribute to their “feisty and faithful” mother, Joan Bouverie-Brine MBE, well known across Wiltshire, who died at the weekend.

Joan, 94, had spent her final 10 years in Old Town, Swindon, alongside her husband, 99-year-old James, who had a distinguished military career and reached the rank of lieutenant colonel.

The MBE was awarded to Joan on Valentine’s Day in 1991, who was recognised for 25 years of voluntary work with military charities SSAFA and Royal British Legion.

Joan was also a significant presence within the Conservative Party around Wiltshire throughout the 1950s, '60s and '70s.

She was the mother of six children across two marriages, but spent most of her life with James, to whom she was married for 67 years as they lived in various locations across the world.

Two of their daughters, Liz McGaughrin, of Cookham, Berkshire, and Amelia Lacey, of Cornwall, said their mother was extremely proud of her achievements and her family.

“She was a very good mother,” said Liz. “If you needed her, she was there for you.

“It wasn’t always easy, but I loved her very much.”

Amelia said: “She was feisty and faithful. It [her MBE] was a huge deal for her. She was very proud of that and all of her children.

“When Christopher [her son] died in 2007, it broke her heart and made her dementia worse. She was proud of her children and her family.

"She loved people and everyone who met her, loved her.”

Dementia was the ultimate cause of Joan’s death on January 10. Her funeral will be held at Christ Church next Thursday at 2pm.