BETTY HARPER, who has died, aged 87, was very much a Peppard girl.

She was born in 1922 in Wyfold Cottage in Wyfold. She went to Peppard School and during this time the family moved to Peppard Common to live in and run the Dog Inn, a pub that was to be a central part of Betty’s life.

Betty’s names were Amy Edith Marjorie but she was always known as Betty, except when she attended Henley Grammar School, when she was called Tufty.

Her maiden name was Ruffhead, so possibly this explains the nickname.

During the war, Betty joined the Land Army and worked locally on farms in support of the war effort. She enjoyed driving the tractor but had no inclination to drive cars.

When her father became ill, Betty in effect took over the running of the Dog as well as caring for her father. At the time, the RAF were billeted on Peppard Common and so she met her airman husband-to-be, Sid. They were married in All Saints’ Church, Peppard, in 1956 and the couple bought a plot of land in Colliers Lane and oversaw the building of April Cottage.

They lived there together happily until Sid’s untimely death in a road accident in 1972.

Betty continued to live at April Cottage until 1980, by which time she had realised that arthritis and stairs were not good companions.

She then moved to her beloved Woodside Cottage in Blounts Court Road. They were made for each other — no stairs and a beautiful garden, which was her pride and joy.

She was a valued member of the Sonning Common Horticultural Society and was always the first to sign up for any trips, some as far away as Holland.

Betty was actively involved in fund-raising for various charities. Sid and Betty were Friends of Peppard Hospital where they organised many happy fund-raising events.

Latterly, Betty was a strong supporter of charities connected with arthritis. She assisted with meals on wheels and prepared teas for local cricket clubs. She was renowned for her cooking skills.

Early in the Fifties, during her time at the Dog, Betty became friendly with the author Elizabeth Goudge, who had moved into Rose Cottage in Dog Lane, just around the corner from the pub, and this became an enduring friendship. It was a sad day for Betty when Elizabeth died in 1984.

In 2008, Betty — then in a wheelchair — was able to attend the unveiling ceremony of the blue plaque placed in memory of Elizabeth on Rose Cottage. It was a moving ceremony attended by many people who also knew Betty.

A sumptuous tea was served in Rose Cottage and the joy on Betty’s face when she was surrounded by so many friends was a sight to behold.

After moving to Woodside Cottage, Betty became a particularly close friend of Jack Grattan. Jack and Betty had many happy times together until he died in 2001.

In her latter years, Betty was very much housebound but it was a sign of her natural positive nature that she continued to keep in touch with her many friends and enjoyed reminiscing about past times with her many visitors, carers and helpers.

Betty always made light of her infirmities, making the point that “there are many people worse off than me”.

She will be greatly missed but will be remembered by many for her happy nature, her smile, her exuberance and her sheer niceness — she was a very special person.