Billie, late of 58 Compton Avenue, was a stalwart helper at Pam Bean’s Grand Sales that used to be held every month in West Hill Hall. She spent all her working life as a nurse in Brighton, from when she qualified in 1941 until her retirement in 1985. She survived the war through a combination of humour and determination and went on to specialise in child care and midwifery. She was a greatly valued member of the Royal Sussex County Hospital team, where her compassion and unique ability to comfort people won the respect of her colleagues and gratitude of her patients.

Billie was born to handle emergencies, and she loved every minute of her time as a nurse. She married John Crook in 1953 and they had a full and happy life until his death in 1990. She loved her pets, first her dog Sandy and then Polly, the Jack Russell, who she rescued from Battersea Dogs Home. She enjoyed pottering about in her garden in Compton Avenue, and getting up to jolly japes with her life-long friend, fellow-nurse Gillian Chandler. It was Gill who arranged the sale of Billie’s house and transfer to Lyndhurst Care Home when she could no longer manage to live on her own. She spent three years being very well looked after by the staff at Lyndhurst until her death in June.