TRIBUTES have poured in after Canvey’s oldest resident died at the age of 106.

Doris Flaherty, who was born in 1907, passed away at her home on the island, where she had lived for 68 years.

After falling in love with Canvey in 1932, Doris returned when she married her sweetheart Alf Flaherty in 1936 and the pair spent their honeymoon on the island.

Ten years later, Doris moved to Canvey to live in her motherin- law’s bungalow while Alf remained overseas after serving in the Middle East during the Second World War.

Widowed in 1967, the motherof- two dedicated her life to helping the community and supporting local causes.

Her name is engraved on a bench at Concord Beach, in memory of the work she did to help Friends of Concord Beach Colin Letchford, chairman of the group, said: “She was such a generous supporter and an incredible woman.

“She always said to me she would like a plaque on the wall when she died, but we did it for her 104th birthday and she was overjoyed.

“She loved children and wanted to make sure children who came out from London had a lovely beach to enjoy.

“Her memories of the island were tremendous and she will be missed.” Canvey councillor Ray Howard added: “What a remarkable lady. I worked with her with the Friends of Concord Beach. I send my deepest condolences – Canvey has lost a very special person.”

Just two weeks before her death, videos of Doris recalling her memories of Canvey were posted online as part of the Canvey Community Archive.

Joan Liddiard, chairman of the archive, said: “I knew Doris for many years. She is going to be greatly missed by everybody.

“She was such a lovely lady and you could always rely on her – she was involved in so many things.”

Kind-hearted Doris celebrated her 100th birthday on September 25, 2007. Rather than accept gifts, the great-great-grandmother asked for donations to Havens Hospices – raising more than £1,200.

She championed the children’s charity since before the hospice was even built and supported the original Buy a Brick campaign.

Her name is on one of the bricks that form the main tower at Little Havens. Jane Guest, chaplain at Havens Hospices and former minister at Leigh Baptist Church, said: “Doris was an amazing lady.

“She was at the first meeting to decide the name of Fair Havens over 30 years ago and the hospice has remained close to her heart ever since. She will be sorely missed, but lived to a fabulous age.”

She marked her 100th birthday with a special party at the War Memorial Hall, which five generations of her family attended.

IN a number of interviews with Canvey Community Archive, Doris recalled her memories of the island and her life.

Born in 1907 in Dalston, East London, Doris would become a huge part of Canvey’s history and community.

After first setting sight on the island in 1932 with her future mother-in-law, Doris soon made the island her home. Following heavy bombing in the Second World War, Doris with her grandmother and 18-month-old daughter, were evacuated to Buckinghamshire.

Doris and her family moved to Canvey into Alf’s mother’s bungalow, in Maurice Road on March 1, 1946, after the government began to take over seaside bungalows to move young families in to create space in London for returning soldiers. A devout Christian, Mrs Flaherty was a Sunday school teacher at Leigh Beck Baptist Church.

Following Alf’s death in 1967, Doris threw herself into community work and helped Havens Hospices, Barnados and Claybury Hospital.