A reflexologist, volunteer, mother, and charity trustee with a “zest for life” and passion for her hometown has died.

Gloria Williams, from Abbey Close in Minster, passed away due to multiple organ failure caused by Parkinson’s Disease – a disorder she was diagnosed with in 2018.

The 76-year-old nan-of-three was born in Cape Town, South Africa in April 1947. The youngest of eight siblings, she lived in an area called District Six.

Her daughter, 38-year-old Serena, explained: “Times were hard, the apartheid regime was in full force but Gloria felt incredibly lucky that she had a supportive loving family around her, supported by a good education and a Christian faith.

“In October 1965 Gloria made the decision to leave everything she had ever known and move to England for a better life, with a one-way ticket and one small suitcase.

“Initially Gloria lived in other areas of Kent before settling on the Isle of Sheppey in the early 1980s and this was when her life really took off and she became quite the local celebrity.”

Gloria was involved in many charities and groups on the Island but many may remember her for her reflexology work.

Reflexology is the alternative medical practice involving the application of pressure on a patient.

Serena said: “She helped many Island people with their health struggles and gave talks around the Island to help people.”

Gloria was also a founding trustee for Sheppey Matters.

The mum-of-two put £1 into the pot to get the award-winning health and wellbeing charity started.

Gloria was a governor and a PTA member at Minster College, and later chair of governors at the Minster Primary School.

Serena said: “She never missed a concert and was always so proud of all the children and all that they achieved.”

Gloria also volunteered for Beanstalk, a group that helps children read.

She was their first volunteer on the Island, and helped hundreds of children learn to read.

“Even in later life the children she helped would still come up to her and tell her how much she had helped them and that without her their lives would be very different,” Serena explained.

Gloria also volunteered initially at Minster Primary School and then Halfway Houses Primary School.

As a Christian, Gloria was a parishioner of Minster Abbey where she attended services.

She also supported fundraising and was a founding member of the Ladies Time Out Group.

Due to her faith, Gloria was also involved in Churches Together in Sheppey.

She was a supporter of this from the start, supporting The Church in Hope Street, Strode Crescent Baptist Church and the Salvation Army.

Gloria also played an active role in the Abbey Playgroup.

She even formed a non-committee when it disbanded to enable her to stay in touch with the friends she had met.

Serena continued: “Over the years, Gloria participated in aerobics, Tai-chi, line dancing, belly dancing and met hundreds of people along the way, people who she stayed friends with until her final days.

“She had a zest for life, she was passionate about the Isle of Sheppey and we as her family are so proud of everything which she achieved for the Island. Her legacy will live on for a long time.

“My mum has and always will be my inspiration in my life, she achieved so much and meant so much to so many.”

Along with Serena, Gloria leaves behind her husband, Peter, to whom she was married for 39 years.

She also leaves three granddaughters, Keely, 21, Emily, 19, and Poppy, 15.

Gloria is reunited with her son, Gavin, who suddenly passed away in 2012 aged 34.

Serena added: “Gloria leaves behind family and friends all over the world.

“She passed peacefully away at Medway Maritime Hospital on Wednesday, September 6.”

Gloria’s funeral will take place at the Garden of England Crematorium, Bobbing at 11am on Friday, October 20.

Serena has asked for family flowers only and for any donations to be made to Havill Funeral Directors for Parkinson’s UK Sittingbourne and Sheppey Branch which supported Gloria with her Parkinson’s.