Tributes have been paid to a Kent woman who gave more than four decades of service to the town.

Secretary Sandra Dines, of Burch Avenue, Sandwich was an essential part of operations at yacht and powerboat brokerage Highway Marine in Strand Street.

She was also known for her years of running the club house and bar at Sandwich Sailing Club.

The much-loved mother and grandmother died suddenly at her home on April 4, aged 74.

She has been remembered by her family as a “truly amazing lady” who “will be sorely missed”.

Her daughter Joanne Brett said: “She was fun, loving, supportive, caring, kind and generous.

“She devoted her whole life to her family which she loved and we loved her too.

“She would have done anything for anybody and was always there, putting everybody else first before herself.

“A person I was proud to say was my mum.”

Born in Uxbridge in Middlesex, Mrs Dines moved to Sandwich with her family when she was a toddler.

Her sister Maureen was born shortly after.

Her mother Sarah Reason was a housewife with her father Stanley Reason, the caretaker at Sandwich Infant School.

She attended the local infant and primary schools and then Sandwich Secondary where she made lifelong friends who she remained in touch with until her death.

She secured her first job as a secretary at Barlow Builders where she met her husband of 50 years Brian, who died in 2014.

They were married at the United Reformed Church on May 22, 1965 and lived at Sandwich Sailing Club on the Industrial Estate where Mr Dines repaired boats and Mrs Dines ran the club house and bar.

She was also secretary at Jack Coombers Transport for a short time and did evening shifts at Haffendens were she made hot water bottles and swimming hats before joining the team at Highway Marine.

She retired after 37 years on May 3, 2015 but returned part time for another three years.

Mrs Brett said: “She was a very hard-working person. She enjoyed her job and most of all loved meeting the customers.

“Through her many years at Highway Marine, our mum also met many lovely people who she considered to be her true friends.”

Owner David Blackmore has described her a familiar face with “a smile for everyone.”

He said: “She was like part of the family - loyal, hard-working and utterly efficient.

“We were lucky to have such a dedicated staff member and friendly face behind the desk to help us build the business.

“She was always smiling. She’ll be a big miss.”

Mrs Dines was also a mother to Mark and Andrew, and had seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

In her spare time, she played keyboard and enjoyed the theatre.

Her funeral is at Barham Crematorium on Wednesday, May 1 at noon. All are welcome.

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