Tribute to life of Vicki Matthew from Helston after death from cancer

And while she may not have been born here, during the 44 years Vicki Matthew lived in Helston she arguably contributed more to the life of the town than many manage in their entire lifetime.

Chair and a founding director of the South Kerrier Alliance, she was heavily involved in getting Helston's former cattle market transferred to the town and then transformed into the community building it is today.

She also spent almost a decade on the town council, acting as deputy mayor for a time, was involved with the Helston and District Twinning Association for both Plougasnou and Sasso Marconi, a volunteer with the Mustard Seed charity, a member of Helston Harvest Fair Committee and a volunteer advocate for Age Concern in Cornwall (now Age UK).

Her death comes just 18 months after her beloved husband Keith died, in March last year.

Only six weeks after his death Vicki was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer, and she passed away 12 days ago, on Friday, September 10.

Vicki Matthew (right) with representatives of South Kerrier Alliance, Helston Downsland Trust, the town council and Cornwall Council at Coronation Park Picture: Tim Neale

Having received treatment in hospital, Vicki was able to get her wish to spend her final days at home in Marconi Close, with the support of her family, district nurses and Marie Curie nurses.

It was the home that she and Keith, a born and bred Helstonian, had moved to in 1977.

Vicki was originally from Walton-on-Thames in Surrey, but her daughter Tamzin joked that she eventually became "more Cornish than dad in the end."

"Cornwall was where she had come on holiday. She loved it," she added.

The couple had met at university in Liverpool and travelled the world together, first to Vienna and Paris, and then onto New Zealand during the 1960s and 70s, where they both taught.

Something was always calling Keith back home, however, and they returned to England via Sydney in Australia, first to Bristol and then finally back to Helston with their young family.

Vicki and her husband Keith in their younger years

Vicki threw herself into the community of Helston, while also becoming a teacher at Troon School.

Her daughter Tamzin said: "She always cared particularly for other people. I would say she helped people almost like a reflex – it was like drawing breath to her.

"And she really got a lot out of teaching. She loved the community and the people she met.

"Her and dad had a very fun life together; they travelled, and they did all the things they wanted to do with the various organisations they were members of. They had a really fun life."

Vicki Matthew, pictured with her new great-grandson earlier this year, died aged 77

Vicki is survived by her children, Tamzin and Kieran, four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

David Turnbull, a director of the South Kerrier Alliance, said: "As a founding director and chair of the organisation Vicki was, and will continue to be, an inspiration for us all.

"She was tireless in her voluntary work, always championing the cause of those in need. She helped countless numbers of people.

"The Old Cattle Market, Coronation Park and thriving Farmers’ Market are only a part of Vicki’s immense contribution to Helston’s community. A wonderful person, sadly missed."