A MUCH loved Kinver voluntary worker has lost her battle against cancer.

Valerie Clarke, 76, of Jenks Avenue, was involved in voluntary work with a number of organisations throughout her life, died on Saturday (July 18).

During the past few years, Valerie has been president of Kinver Evening Women’s Institute and following her death leaves behind her husband Bob, her two children Rachel and Richard, and four grandchildren.

In her early life, Valerie was brought up in Rowley Regis, where she was a voluntary junior youth club leader at Grainger's Lane Methodist Church in Cradley Heath.

She was employed by Rowley Regis Borough Council and lived with her husband Bob in Halesowen.

Due to Bob’s job as a journalist, the couple moved to Pershore, where Valerie volunteered alongside her husband as a Cub Scout leader.

While living in Worcestershire, she played badminton for the county’s first team for several years.

After moving to Kinver, Valerie became president of the Kinver Evening Women’s Institute as well as a volunteer for Mary Stevens Hospice and the National Trust.

Valerie passed away on Saturday while staying with her daughter to undertake chemotherapy for her cancer.

Bob paid tribute to his wife of 55 years, saying: “She was a wonderful wife and brilliant person. My family have been really supportive in what has been a very traumatic time.”

Valerie’s funeral will take place at Kinver Parish Church at 10.30am on Thursday July 30, followed by a cremation at Stourbridge Crematorium at 11.40am.