It's with deep regret and great sadness to advise you all that Di Orton, aged 95, passed away peacefully at home on 16th November 2020.

Di Orton, at 95 years young, where do you start? Well to begin the beloved Di Orton was not Di Orton; her name was actually Kathleen, owing to her aunt, who had a picture of a little girl called Dinah who recognised the likeness and she became Di to all who knew her.

She was born (and raised in Enfield), London 8th February.1925, to Barbara and Edward (Jack).

Fond memories of her childhood paint a strange picture, as at her age the WW2 loomed. One story is of her father taking her out with him on duty as a fire watcher and helping her climb fences and walls as she could see further and could tell him where the fires were.

So as the bombs dropped and exploded around her and with the subsequent fires erupting – her father ran off to fight the fires; leaving Di stranded.

At the age of 17 she joined the WAAF as a Balloon Operator, one of the many that bravely stuck her head above the parapet, and did not seek shelter when the enemy aircraft came and the night sky exploded, but manned the cables to protect those around her.

As a Balloon Operator she said she had an easy war, getting her hands greasy and watching the cable go up in the air tethered to the balloon, it wasn't the balloon that caused the damage, it was the cable designed to bring down planes

She also saw some shows with her mother, not caring about the air-raids. Other positions she held were in catering and as a clerk in the RAF.

She met a soldier, John Orton, and later married in 1944. She followed John in his grocery business raising her 4 children, mainly in West London and Berkshire. She was a selfless person later worked in care homes with the elderly and the seriously disabled. Sadly, her eldest child, her only son, predeceased her.

Di went on to settle in Exmouth, living with Sue, her middle daughter, and Stephen, Sue's partner and was soon selflessly working in the Heart Foundation and with the Poppy Appeal; not giving up her slot for any man or woman and she also took pride in assisting at the Legion fund raising events. No matter the weather you could rely on her being there

She loved her close knit family, enjoying on-line games with them on a Sunday and phone calls and also relished travelling; making friends wherever she went, especially North America.

So, with sadness and fond memories we say good bye, but you will not forgotten; for the inspiring impression you have made on all our lives

She is survived by her daughters Jan, Sue and Alison and their families – seven grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren and two great, great grandchildren and all her friends.