A former member of the Army auxiliary, devoted scout president, keen fundraiser and avid cyclist has died, writes Nikita Jadav.

Margarita “Rita” Payne, 95, passed away peacefully in Kingston Hospital on August 7. She had lived in New Malden for years, and worked in Tolworth.

Mrs Payne was born in Tranmere in 1920. After her primary education she attended Tranmere Higher Grade School and Temple Road School.

In 1939 she signed up for the Auxiliary Territorial Service in the women’s branch of the British Army.

She met her future husband, Arthur, when she was posted to Bulford Camp on Salisbury Plain.

The couple married in July 1941 at St Luke’s Church in Tranmere. They later had two children, Adrian and Kevin.

Mrs Payne’s son, Kevin Payne, said: “She enjoyed playing music, violin and piano and singing, together with old time dancing.”

Over a 50-year period, Mrs Payne raised more than £10,000 for the 7th Malden scout group through jumble sales and stalls.

She was made president of the scout group in 2000 and received numerous long service awards as well as a commendation for good services from the chief scout.

She worked as a clerical officer at the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, based in Tolworth, for many years.

"She also dealt with the certification of animals and helped Chessington Zoo to ensure that animals for new exhibits arrived with the correct paperwork.

Mr Payne said: “Our mother had always enjoyed cycling. In her late teenage years she used to ride from Birkenhead to the outskirts of Liverpool early on a Sunday morning to scour thousands of football pools coupons at Vernons for winners.

“Later on she used to take Adrian first, then me four years later, to Malden Manor Infant School on a small seat on the back of her bike – come rain or shine.

"She also continued to cycle down to the shops in New Malden High Street until well into her 70s.”

Her funeral service will be held at St James Church in New Malden on September 2.