Tributes have flooded in to a well-known volunteer who has died.

Jacqueline Martin, known to her friends as "Jackie", volunteered with St Luke's Hospice for almost 12 years.

She was manager of the Wickford shop, initially in Wickford High St and more recently when we re-located to the current shop in the Ladygate Centre.

Prior to that she was the shop manager at Little Havens, where she volunteered for eight years.

She sadly died on September 13 and her funeral was held on Wednesday.

Eileen Marshall, chief executive officer at St. Luke’s Hospice, said: "Jackie was a very popular and well respected manager.

"She was noted for being very young at heart - her bubbly personality and laughter endeared her to everyone.

"Her support and loyalty to St. Luke’s Hospice went beyond the expectations of her role. She truly cared about ‘her shop’ and all ‘her’ volunteers, customers and donors.

"She worked hard at raising income in support of Hospice care and has had a positive impact on many people’s lives.

"She always had time to listen to the many people who come into the shop, not always to buy or donate but sometimes just to say ‘hello’ and tell Jackie their ‘troubles’. She always had an encouraging word and her positive attitude always made problems seem lighter.

"We have dedicated one of our Wickford shop windows in tribute to Jackie and have been overwhelmed with people calling in to express sympathy and pay tribute to her memory all week. "Our thoughts are with her family and close friends at this sad time. We will all miss her dearly."

Isobel Crawford started as a volunteer in the Wickford shop in 1998 and she remembers the day Jackie started.

She said: "I knew from the very first moment I met Jackie that she was just the right person for the job – she was so friendly wanting to meet and get to know all the volunteers.

"She was such a kind and caring person.

"I became widowed about four years ago and I will never forget the kindness, understanding and support she gave to me.

"We have opened a book of condolence for her in the shop and people have written some very moving messages and are genuinely upset.

"Her passing was such a sudden shock to us all because she wasn’t one to complain about ill health.

"She always made our shop a ‘happy place’ to be - I will miss her smile and her laughter.’’

Rachel Bigden has been a volunteer in the Wickford shop for five years.

She said: "Jackie was an amazing, caring, person and a pleasure to work for.

"She would never ask you to do anything she wouldn’t do herself and would always roll-up her sleeves and pitch-in.

"She disliked making a ‘fuss’ and what ever happened she always used to smile and say 'let’s get on with it', following it up with something to make us laugh. I am going to miss her so much."