AN ELDERLY Swindon woman died just two weeks after celebrating her platinum wedding anniversary.

Nancy Dicker, 92, of Moredon Road, died peacefully at the end of last month after suffering from a liver tumour.

The mother-of-seven, who married husband Jim on October 15, 1938, celebrated her anniversary with a family party at their home and the couple received a card from the Queen .

Now Nancy’s eldest daughter, and former Pinehurst minister, the Rev Annis Fessey, paid tribute to her late mother.

“She may have had seven children but she treated us as individuals,” said Annis, 68, who now lives on the Isle of Wight.

“There were no favourites. She was determined each of us would be educated to the best of our ability.

“Mum was very proud of all of us. She was a very determined lady who had a firm faith.”

Nancy was the youngest of eight children who was brought up in a mining community in the Rhondda Valley in south Wales.

She moved to Swindon with her family in 1930, when she was 14.

She met Jim during a youth activity session at the Drill Hall in Park Place four years later.

The couple married at St Mark’s Church, in Swindon. Both were 22 at the time.

Nancy worked at Morses, which sold soft furnishings. Jim was the manager of Southern Laundry near Swindon station.

“It was a difficult time for them as when I was six weeks old dad was called up to serve in the Army,” said Annis.

“After a period as an army dispatch rider, Jim joined his elder brother Lt Col Ted Dicker as his driver.

“Ted was responsible for salvaging tanks and other equipment. So together they drove across Europe just behind the front line of battle.

“Miraculously, both survived and lived to a ripe old age.”

Nancy leaves behind 17 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

“I know dad has said recently he loved mum in sickness and in health and since he came back from the war they haven’t been separated,” said Annis.

“Despite him being 92 he nursed her to the end.”

Nancy’s funeral will be held at St Mary’s Church, in Rodbourne Cheney, at 12.15pm, on Monday.

Her burial will follow at Whitworth Road Cemetery. Flowers may be sent to Hillier Chapel of Rest.