TRIBUTES have poured in for a 'fun-loving' community stalwart who was a former Maldon carnival queen in the seventies.
Theresa Harrington-Smith, who crowned the queen in 1971, died on February 1 at Broomfield hospital at the age of 66 having suffered with interstitial lung disease.
As a Maldon woman born and bred, her royal endeavours were well known in the community, especially as she married her childhood sweetheart Martin Smith just after the year of her reign.
When the Maldon Carnival was at the brink of ending five years ago, she stepped in to help out and take over as chaperone after the late Jean Haylock who died in 2017.
Theresa was considered a strong spirit who wanted to keep the soul of the carnival alive in the community.
Carnival chairman Rob Slight said: “Theresa joined Maldon Carnival a few years back and soon became a vital member of the carnival and one of my closest friends.
“She was officially the court chaperone but often helped in many other roles.
“She helped raise thousands of pounds for charity.
“Almost every week, she would take the girls out with her daughter to different carnivals and dances right up until she fell ill.
“One of the best memories we had of Theresa was when we did our Halloween fundraiser.
“One minute, she is doing our Tombola stall, next she is helping to give out prizes to the children and at the same time she is starting the children off on our Halloween hunt.
“She will be truly missed by all the carnival committee and members of the community.”
Former town mayor Jeanette Stilts worked with Theresa in the past few years.
Mrs Stilts said: “I send my heartfelt condolences to the family. Theresa was a fun-loving, happy, warm person to be with.
“She always had a great smile and laughter.
“I knew her from her time of looking after the carnival queens while I was mayor and she was dedicated to helping them during their year.
“She will be sadly missed by many.”
Her funeral is set to take place on March 3 at the Three Counties Crematorium in Braintree.
To donate or leave a tribute, click here.
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