West Wittering's Eve Branson 'always had a smile on her face' - 'I look forward to the day a rocket named after her is launched'

Entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson announced his mother's death in a heartfelt post on social media on Monday, January 11.

According to her son, Eve, 96, died despite 'managing to fight off' Covid-19. Read more hereEve lived on the Cakeham Manor estate in West Wittering. She served as chairman of the Manhood RNLI fundraising branch, which supports RNLI Selsey Lifeboat Station.

A spokesperson for RNLI Selsey said: "As a station we are saddened on hearing the passing of Eve Branson. Manhood branch fundraisers regularly raised money for us and Hayling Island Lifeboat Station."

Nigel Glennie worked with Eve during his time as chairman of the Manhood branch between 2012 and 2016.

He said: "Eve was very active, she was someone who had a million things to do.

"She was a very busy lady but always found time to come to committee meetings. She came up with ideas and added value to events we put on.

"She was a lovely lady. She always had a smile on her face.

"I look forward to the day a rocket named after her is launched off, so we have Eve up in the sky."

Annie Creak, who served as RNLI secretary for around 20 years, said Eve was an 'amazing president'.

She added: "She was really, really good, she often came to meetings. She was a busy lady, especially in the early days, disappearing off to Marrakesh [in Morocco] for projects to help poorer people.

"She was just amazing and always had lots of bright ideas.

"She hosted parties [at Cakeham Manor] and loved coming to give flowers and prizes out after the tennis tournaments.

"The parties were always well supported and she always came out and met everybody. She was just a really lovely lady."