Tributes for Felsted woman who 'made everything better'

Vera Butcher was born into the large and lovely Laudrum family on June 13, 1938 in Felsted, where she remained living for the rest of her life.

She attended Felsted Primary School and then Braintree Girls’ School, where she made friends for life, and later worked at the Archers firm’s office in the town.

She met Patrick Butcher, now 91, who was in the RAF and based at North Weald air field, at the Yew Tree pub.

Their nearly 70-year love story started when he offered to walk her home and her face lit up when Patrick says she looked like a film star.

Beautiful - Her husband Patrick said Vera looked like a film star the night they met (Image: Jacqui Kelly)

Love - Vera and Patrick were married for almost 70 years (Image: Jacqui Kelly)

The two had three children, Kevin, Susan and Edwin.

Vera then worked at Felsted School’s Elwyn House for around 40 years in the kitchen, making breakfast and evening meals.

During the day, she worked for a local farm with other mums potato picking and hoeing sugar beet, where she would bring her children during the holidays.  

She travelled the world with her husband and enjoyed a happy and lovely life. They ran Felsted Youth Club together and organised trips to Southend.

Her family grew to five grandchildren, one great-great grandson and one step great-great grandson.

A “workaholic”, Vera worked up until the age of 85 in kitchens and waitressing for private caterers, but only for people she liked.

Family - Vera and Patrick had three children, five grandchildren, one great-great grandson and one step great-great grandson. (Image: Jacqui Kelly)

Meeting - Vera met many interesting people while waitressing, including Margaret Thatcher (Image: Jacqui Kelly)

She had many plans for adventures with her husband Patrick. She was very involved in the Felsted village chapel, local friendship groups and clubs.

Vera was diagnosed with a form of blood cancer about eight years ago and was given just three years to live. She passed away after battling sepsis on February 15 at age 87.

Her granddaughter Jacqui Kelly, 43, said: “She was a very ill lady on the inside, but on the outside you would never have known – she wouldn’t stop.

“Her place was like the family hub. There was a lot of family parties.

“We could go to her for anything, to have a moan or cry on her shoulder. She was always there. Anything you needed, she was the one everyone went to.

“She loved my grandad. She loved her coach trips. She loved her music. She loved force feeding her grandchildren custard, because custard makes everything better. She just loved life.”

Hobbies - Vera loved coach trips, fashion, music, force feeding her grandchildren custard, and life (Image: Jacqui Kelly)

Magic - 'If you were hurting, she would cuddle you with magic arms that would lessen the pain' (Image: Jacqui Kelly)

Family - 'She is our hero and we will miss her forever.' (Image: Jacqui Kelly)

Vera’s funeral on March 13 was attended by almost 200 people, which the family were surprised and extremely touched by.

In her eulogy, her son Edwin said: “Her capacity to love was endless. Not only did she have us under her wing but she extended it to cover others who came into our lives and make them feel part of her family.

“If you were hurting, she would cuddle you with magic arms that would lessen the pain.

“She made everything better.

“She is our hero and we will miss her forever.”

The family are incredibly grateful for all the lovely messages and support they have received over the last few weeks.