Gwendoline Clarke, a keen Oxford tennis and bowls player, has died aged 88.

Mrs Clarke, ne Johnson, was born in 1916 in Hockmore Street, Cowley, where she lived with her three brothers and sister.

Her first job was as a packer at a Cowley shop when she was 14, working six days a week for 10 shillings. She worked her way up to become chief cashier.

She later worked for the gas board in St Aldate's, clocking up 26 years' service.

Aged 24, Mrs Clarke met and married Tom Beament, a Headington baker, but their marriage was short-lived as 18 months later Tom was killed on active service.

Four months after his death, the baby Mrs Clarke was carrying at the time was born but died two weeks later.

When she was 37, she married her second husband, Fred Clarke, a tennis and bowls player. They played at Cowley St John Tennis Club. Mrs Clarke represented club and county.

She later turned her hand to bowls, joining the Oxford City and County Bowls Club.

She won the County Triples in 1973 and 1976, the Worthing Ladies Pairs in 1981 and the South Oxford Open Fours in 1986. She continued to play into her 80s.

She was also skilled at embroidery and needlework and made artificial flowers, which she sold to raise hundreds of pounds for charity.

Mrs Clarke loved the company of children, probably due to losing her own child at a young age.

She was a devoted aunt to her niece Greta Winstone, with whom she used to play tennis and bowls with.

Mrs Winstone said: "She was a close, true and generous friend to many during her life, and enjoyed her tennis, bowls and her garden. A light has gone out for those left behind."