A POPULAR Leominster woman who catered for everyone from royalty to rugby players has died aged 78.

Shirley Powell, born Shirley Palliser in March 1939, was the daughter of a fishmonger-turned-greengrocer in Leominster.

After attending the town's Grammar School, she met and married John Powell who played rugby and her first link to Luctonians Rugby Club was established.

Although a band of volunteers worked tirelessly together to help the club become established, it was Shirley's decades of sheer hard work which saw her being elected first woman committee member, first Honourary Lady Vice President and first female Life Member.

On top of the catering, Shirley laundered hundreds of rugby strips and got them back to the club in time for the next fixture.

Catering for large numbers at various events – at christenings, birthdays, hunt balls, anniversaries and weddings – never phased Shirley as it was her passion.

She built up a home-based business with partner, Gill Ricketts, the two honing their skills at The Corners Inn under Sonia Priday.

She restocked fridges and cupboards by being in Leominster and waiting at the door as proprietors were just opening up, passionate about putting money back into the tills of local traders and producers.

One client regularly asked Shirley to cater at Royal Ascot for summer parties, where she served members of the Royal family from her buffet table.

To raise money for Luctonians charities, she agreed to be carried up Snowdon in a chair by rugby players, funds enhanced by attracting Jeremy Paxman to sponsor her, since Shirley's daughter, Jess, was part of his Newsnight team.

The growing catering business ran alongside family life, the children Greg and Jess being delivered to their schools and sports fixtures, often transported surrounded by boxes of prepared teas packed alongside the kit.

The Luctonians social life held Shirley together with her many friends encouraging her to take time out and enjoy trips to the West End shows, staying in some top London hotels.

Shirley died peacefully at Leominster Community Hospital last Tuesday with her daughter, Jess, by her side. Greg and Sarah (nee Hinton) visited from Sydney with youngest grandson Josh.

The funeral service will take place at Hereford Crematorium next Wednesday (June 21) at 12 noon and afterwards at the Luctonians Rugby Club.