A “kind and extremely well-liked” Norfolk couple who were pillars of their community both died when their car crashed on the way to see their family.
Tributes today poured in for
David and Marjorie S
mith who were killed on Easter Monday after their silver Hyundai collided with a road sign.
The couple, from Chestnut Avenue, Bradwell, near Yarmouth, carried out church and charity work and were always ready to help those in need, neighbours said.
Mr and Mrs Smith, both 75 and retired, were married for 54 years and had lived on the same road for nearly 40 years.
They died as their car left the A14 at the Rowley Mile BP garage near Newmarket on the way to visit their daughter, son-in-law and grandson in Hertfordshire.
Their
family issued a statement today which read:
“(We) have been overwhelmed by tributes from neighbours and friends to the couple's kindness and helpfulness to all.”
Mrs Smith worked at the Shrublands Post Office for 42 years before retiring in 1995 and Mr Smith, a retired laboratory technician at the former Gorleston Grammar School, was heavily involved with
St Andrews Church, Gorleston and worked as a volunteer for a charity for people with memory problems.
Lisa Jensen, a self-employed computer consultant from Bradwell, whose parents Frank and Norma Vitkofsky, 82 and 77, lived next door to the couple, said the whole street was in mourning after the tragedy.
Her father suffered Alzheimer's disease and she said Mr Smith was always there for him and would help them out with chores like gardening and taking the bins out.
“The Smiths were a
rock for my family and it gave me comfort knowing they were right next door. It is an absolute tragedy what happened. My parents moved there about 18 months ago and weren't from around there, but they welcomed them with open arms.
“David would do anything that they needed. He was always there for them. Mum would knock at the door and he would come flying round. She is in a great deal of shock. They were very special people,” she said.
Neighbour David Johnson said he took older people out on trips, was greatly involved in the community and helped many of his neighbours out.
“They were very nice people. David was really right in the middle of the community.
“They would never forget Christmas, and Marjorie would make her own cards and send them to all the neighbours.”
Police, paramedics and fire crews were called to the collision at about 2.35pm on Easter Monday along with the East Anglian Air Ambulance but the couple were both pronounced dead at the scene.
