TRIBUTES have been paid to an “effervescent” woman who was one of the first residents of “modern Basildon”.

Interpreter Kate Boucher has died following a brief battle with heart disease at the age of 93.

Mrs Boucher was well known for her work with Basildon Twinning Association and for her “bubbly” personality and great sense of humour.

Mrs Boucher moved to Basildon in the 1960s, after it was designated a “New Town” by the government, incorporating Laindon and Pitsea.

She had a successful career as an interpretor, speaking fluent French and German, and was involved in the Basildon Talking Newspaper group which read out newspapers for the visually impaired.

Mrs Boucher lived with her husband Reg, who previously passed away, and she lived independently until March this year before moving to a care home.

Paying tribute to her, Mrs Boucher’s niece Elaine Brown said: “She was very effervescent, a lovely bubbly woman and great fun, we spent quite a few childhood holidays there.

“She was very unpredictable and loved a party.

“Her and her husband were on of the first families to move into Basildon after it was first built up in the 1960s.

“They were one of the first ones to be moved out of London and into the new town.

“I think she will be sorely missed, she did touch a lot of people and was well known for her approach to life and it rubbed off on a lot of people.”

Annie Akinin, secretary for Basildon Twinning Association, said: “Kate was an invaluable member of the association and was chairperson in the 1990s through to the 2000s.

“She was very active with the French Circle locally and had a lot of connections within both of Basildon’s twin towns, Meaux, France and Heiligenhaus, Germany.

“She was also instrumental in promoting small business in the twin towns over the years working alongside MP Sir David Amess while he was the MP for Basildon.”

Ms Akinin said the association were working on a book of the history of the association and said Mrs Boucher would be “remembered fondly”.

Sir David Amess said: “So very sorry to hear of the death of Mrs Kate Boucher. She played such a big part in my life and that of our family for so many years. I owe her a great deal and will miss her.”