A NURSE who devoted nearly 18 years of service to her patients has died, aged 72.

Elizabeth Anne Bennett worked as a nurse in Kendal Green before moving on to the Out Patients Department at Westmorland General Hospital until she retired in 2000.

Born on October 12, 1942 to her parents Bill and Betty Sharpe in Woodford, Essex, Mrs Bennett attended the City of London School for Girls, where she developed a love for London.

At the tender age of nine, her beloved mother was diagnosed with breast cancer and managed to fight it until her daughter turned 18.

In 1962, Elizabeth married the love of her life Christopher Bennett in Woodford, Essex before they moved to Sedbergh where Chris worked as a teacher for 37 years.

Embracing life in Sedbergh, Elizabeth threw herself into school, church and community life, where she became a mother to five sons Peter, David, Andrew, Michael and James.

Despite her busy life she took every opportunity to encourage and support them in all that they did.

When she reached her 40’s Elizabeth decided to train as a nurse which she continued ro do until she retired.

Her colleagues said she took immense satisfaction in caring for her patients and developing her own skills.

After her husband retired from Sedbergh School, the couple moved to Heversham where they quickly became involved in both the community and the church.

Elizabeth trained as a Lay Reader and led a variety of church groups at both St Peter’s Church Heversham and St Thomas’s Church Milnthorpe.

She also sat on the board of Thornleigh Hotel, Grange-over-Sands, volunteered at Step by Step (Cumbria) and found time to serve in the Garden Tomb in Israel.

During this period daughter-in-laws and grandchildren were welcomed into the family.

In the last nine years of her life, Elizabeth battled with cancer - a fight her family said she fought with great resilience and determination.

In 2010, her husband died after a short illness but she continued to live her life to the full.

However most of all her faith in her Lord shone through all these experiences.

She continued to share her faith with others right up to her death at St John's Hospice, Lancaster on September 3.

Her funeral and burial was held at St Peters Church Heversham.