Eileen Brooker, a well-known and much-loved community figure in Oxford who dedicated her life to nursing and her family, has died aged 80.

Mrs Brooker was a leading figure in the Rose Hill and Cowley area and organised numerous street parties and church activities.

She was a tireless advocate for her friends and neighbours, while battling to overcome her own medical problems.

She grew up in Garforth, Yorkshire, and was raised by her four older brothers and sisters following the death of her parents.

A natural carer and nurturer, she knew from an early age that she wanted to be a nurse.

Her friend and minister the Rev Jean King, at Rose Hill Methodist Church, said: "Eileen was the heart and soul of her community.

"It was to her that neighbours turned — her front door was always open."

Her journey south began with training at Savernack Hospital in Marlborough during the 1940s.

She finished her nursing training in Oxford at the Radcliffe Infirmary and then moved to the Osler Hospital in Headington.

It was here that she met Stan Brooker, a patient, who she married in 1952 and the couple went on to have a long and loving marriage.

Their first home was in Iffley village, with Stan's parents, before they saved up to buy their house in Courtland Road, Rose Hill.

They went on to have two children, Alison and Ian.

When her husband became a clerk at Nuffield Export she gave up nursing to become a full-time mother and home maker.

At the age of five, her son Ian developed diabetes and was nursed by his mother.

She was delighted by Ian's recent successful kidney-pancreas transplant which ended his reliance on dialysis machines and meant he was no longer diabetic.

She was an active member of the Women's Institute and parishioner at Rose Hill Methodist Church.

Despite being a regular worshipper it was not until last November that she made the commitment of membership and was confirmed.

The cornerstone of her family, she rejoiced in the birth of her grandchildren, Leanne and Ryan to Alison and John and Charlotte to Ian.

Her son Ian said: "She was completely devoted to nursing, her family, friends and the community and was interested in people's lives in a personal and profound way. She was the glue that held her family together."

Her daughter Alison added: "My mum had a very full and meaningful life.

"She touched so many people and brought much joy and comfort into other people's lives in a quiet and unassuming way."

Mrs Brooker passed away on July 15 at the John Radcliffe Hospital, after a long illness.

Her funeral was a celebration of her life at the Oxford Crematorium on Friday, August 1, and was attended by more than 75 family and friends.