Vi Miles MBE dies at 78 (From Witney Gazette)

Vi Miles MBE dies at 78

3:29pm Friday 2nd March 2007 in Witney By The Page Turner

COMMUNITY worker Vi Miles, whose MBE was delivered at home because she was suffering cancer, has died.

In January, Mrs Miles, 78, chose to receive the award at home in Milton-under-Wychwood, after being diagnosed with the disease.

It was presented by Malcolm Cochrane, the Vice-Lord Lieutenant of Oxfordshire.

Mrs Miles, who moved to the village aged 17 to work in the Land Army, married husband, Don, in 1960.

When Mrs Miles found out the news about her award she told the Gazette: "It's a wonderful achievement, but I don't know if I deserve it.

"My family will be so overwhelmed because nothing like this has ever happened to them before.

"The work I've done has all been in my village. I have also worked with the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

"I wanted to get involved with the society because I had two very good friends who both had MS, and I thought 'this needs a lot of work'."

Mrs Miles leaves one son, Keith, and three grandchildren, Jessica, Georgia, and Oscar.

She received the MBE after villagers wrote to the Prime Minister to nominate her for an honour.

Mrs Miles died on February 15.

Her funeral was held at St Simon and St Jude's Church in the village.

Close relative Wendy Earley, who also lives in the village, said 300 people attended the funeral, and £2,000 was raised for the MS Society, and the village hall.

Mrs Earley said: "Vi was an extraordinary lady, who belonged to the village. She was my husband's aunt, and taught me that if you really want to do something, then you can."

She added: "She was brought up in a children's home, and finished her life surrounded by a loving family." The family has also asked for donations to be made to the Lawrence Home Nursing Trust, care of E. Taylor & Son, 21 Corbett Road, Carterton, OX18 3LG.