Tributes have been paid to a care home resident who has died a month before her 103rd birthday.

Family and friends of Ethel Harries have said the great-grandmother-of-six, who was known as Beff, will be sadly missed.

She had been a resident at Barton Court Care Home in Minster since she was 99. She died on November 2.

Beff and her husband Bill moved to the Island in 1938, relocating from Wales after he got a job at the docks. Bill died in 1965 from kidney failure.

The couple were founding members of the Sheppey Welsh Society and Beff was a long-time member of Strode Crescent Baptist Church.

She was also a receptionist for Dr Murthy at the former surgery in Marine Parade, Sheerness.

Her only daughter, Helena Hallett, lives in Canada with her family but they had visited Beff not long before her death.

The family said Beff’s 100th birthday in 2008 was one to remember as they travelled to party with her at the care home.

Her great-grandson Julian shares the same birthday and turned seven when his great grandmother became a centenarian.

Beff would have turned 103 on December 8.

Mrs Hallett said: “My mother had a good life and she went calmly at the end.

“I cannot recommend Barton Court more – their loving care is absolutely marvellous.

“Because I’m an only daughter and so far away, it was wonderful to be confident in the care she was receiving.

“She was an amusing lady in many ways and always had a good response to a joke.”

Staff at Barton Court also paid tribute to her.

Manager Dawn Lowin said: “Beff was such a character. Even at her age she could tell you a tale or two.

“Everyone loved her and she will be sorely, sorely missed.”

The family thanked Beff’s friends for the love and companionship they gave her.

• The funeral will take place on Thursday, December 8, at Vinters Park Crematorium in Maidstone, at 11am. Family flowers only. Donations to Demelza Hospice Care for Children, Rook Lane, Bobbing.