Nesta Commander was ‘an inspiration’

Now tributes have been paid to the former Women’s Institute stalwart and parish council chairman, who has died after being treated for pancreatic cancer for the past five years.

A former nurse who had worked at GP surgeries around south Warwickshire, Mrs Commander continued to play an active part in village life despite her illness, recently arranging a ceremonial arch of pitchforks at the wedding of one WI member.

Janet Oakey worked alongside Mrs Commander on the committee of the Women’s Institute and read at her memorial service at St Lawrence church, Napton, on August 10.

She said: “She was an inspiration to us. If there was anything she could get the WI involved in, she would.

“There wasn’t much going on in the village that Nesta didn’t have a hand in.”

Mrs Oakey painted a picture of a bubbly former nurse who called a spade a spade, did not own a television, read widely and was interested in people.

With the WI, she started a monthly Jubilee tea room serving food provided by members to raise funds for the village hall, ran a women’s health day, and set up a walking group, ‘ladies who lunch’ outings and a watercolour painting group.

In the village, she served a full term on the parish council, stood as a Liberal Democrat candidate for Fenny Compton in Stratford District Council elections and was a first responder.

Former parish council vice-chairman Jim Sleight, who was also involved in the first responders group, said she was always willing to work the night shift.

Recalling the number of people who attended her memorial service, he added: “It really showed what respect people had for her. It was the way she helped people through her medical background and also got her hands dirty.”

Mrs Commander is survived by her husband, Lewis.