A LONG-TIME friend of a stalwart of the Chirk community has paid tribute to a 'wonderful, caring and loving' person.

Sybil Jones, a founding member of Chirk Hospital’s Circle of Friends group, died suddenly but peacefully last month at the age of 85.

She was a familiar face to many in Chirk after her involvement in the community for many years.

After retiring from the role of chairman of the Circle of Friends group last year, Sybil became a life president of the group.

Her long-time friend, Julie Fawcett, said Sybil’s death has left a big gap and a huge amount of sorrow.

“She was a very caring person,” Julie said.

“She loved to sing; she had a beautiful voice and I think that will be one of the things that is missed so much.

“Sybil had a wool shop for many years in Chirk, and I think that was a place where people not only went to buy wool, but to talk to Sybil who always had a listening ear.

“She had words of wisdom for everyone, and she had a fantastic sense of humour too – she was never afraid to laugh at herself.

“Sybil would always happily join people during the good times, but was also there for people during their bad times.”

“A fellow friend I have been talking to said Sybil became almost like a surrogate mum to her when her own mother died, and she would go to her when she was feeling low, or for words of comfort or strength, and she would leave feeling much better.

“She just had a real interest in everyone’s lives, including mine. A lot of people knew her as auntie Sybil.

“She was heavily involved with the community in Chirk; it’s very difficult to sum up a person as wonderful of Sybil.

“For her to suddenly not be here, it has really left a big gap and a huge amount of sorrow.”

As well as being a founding member of the Circle of Friends, and having her own wool shop in the town, Sybil had many jobs which brought her into contact with people over the years.

She spent time working at Ifton Colliery in the office, and worked in the dentist and doctor’s surgery in Chirk, as well as in Willow Street pharmacy.

Sybil was a keen singer, and was part of the choir at St Mary’s Church and Weston Rhyn Choir.

Julie added: “I know Sybil went above and beyond her normal work routine in her jobs; she gave 100 per cent and more – at the pharmacy, she wouldn’t just dispense medicine, she’d also give to the people there a lot of care and love.

“It’s hard to think of many people who haven’t been touched by Sybil to be honest – everywhere we went together, she would know somebody, or somebody would know her.

“Her memory for reminiscing was absolutely fantastic. With the Circle of Friends, when she retired from work, she took on the voluntary role of the patients’ trolley, visiting the wards at least three times a week.

“I know the staff at the hospital are devastated. I know I’ve said it many times, but she provided more than a service for the people there.

“She was a friend to everybody, and she will be very sadly missed.”

Julie, who volunteered for the Circle of Friends alongside Sybil for many years, said the group has been left devastated by the news.

“As the Circle of Friends, we feel like we’ve lost our heart,” she said.

“She retired from the chairman’s role last year and became life president.

“She had been with the hospital’s Circle of Friends since it began more than 50 years ago and was one of the founding members.

“It always played a big part in her life and it was very close to her heart.”

Sybil leaves behind her son Andrew Conde and daughter-in-law Nora Conde, and her funeral will take place at St Mary’s Church, Chirk, on Friday from 2pm.