THE SNJ is calling for those who knew a much-loved member of the community to attend her funeral.

Friends have told the paper that Margaret Gifford was an old-style, Hattie Jaques-type matron who was a brilliant employee at Standish Hospital, effectively managing the place.

Margaret was matron at the hospital from 1964 to 1973.

She died at the age of 99 in the Cotswold Home, Burford.

Her funeral is set to take place at Gloucester Crematorium on Thursday, May 3, at 11.30am.

A friend of Ms Gifford, who did not want to be named, paid tribute to the matron, saying that "she brought much good to the world."

"She worked very hard and wanted everything to be right," they said.

"She was not the most popular of people as her strict and forthright ways upset people."

"You had to see the good through it all, she and my mum got along well and I liked her."

To celebrate the life of Ms Gifford, the SNJ are appealing for her friends and relatives to attend the funeral.

Any photographs of her throughout her life would also be appreciated.

To send in any photos or memories of Ms Gifford please email jaye.mcgowan@newsquest.co.uk