A FORMER High Sheriff of Herefordshire and Worcestershire who has died in St Michael's Hospice is to be buried near one of the places she loved best, writes LIZ WATKINS.

She had told her sons Nat and Michael that her home at Bosbury House, Ledbury, would be a good final resting place. Mrs Hone, who was aged 69, died last Friday after a valiant fight against cancer.

Her funeral will take place at Holy Trinity Church in Bosbury on next Thursday, August 28 at 11.30am followed by burial in a meadow and under a beech tree alongside the boundary of the garden she loved so well.

The family obtained a certificate of lawfulness to allow this to happen and say the spot will be simply marked with a tree and a small tablet of natural stone.

Mrs Hone's late husband Tom died shortly before she was appointed High Sheriff in the year 2000 and his ashes have been scattered in the gardens of Bosbury House, and some in Scotland.

Mrs Hone was born in London in 1934, the daughter of Sir Allen Clark, founder of The Plessey Company. She married Tom Hone in 1953 and moved to Bosbury. While her husband farmed and acted as parish, district and county councillor his wife concentrated on raising her family and helping with local charities.

She was instrumental in setting up Bosbury playgroup and later gave support to charities such as the Martha Trust, the Distressed Gentlefolk Association, now known as the Elizabeth Finn Trust, the Historic Churches Trust, the Nuffield Hospital in Hereford and the Disabled Riding Association in the county.

Her family told the Hereford Times: "The manner in which she fought her final illness, her courage, dignity and charm were an inspiration to all who knew her as well as being in the best tradition of her generation."

Mrs Hone is survived by her sons Nat and Michael, daughter-in-law Laura and three granddaughters, Penelope, Evie and Georgiana.