AN AVID croquet player and supporter of the Conservative Party has died aged 75.

Sally Rankin was described by friends as a beautiful woman with a marvellous personality.

She was born on April 1943 and lived in Hove.

In the 1960s she worked in the House of Commons.

She then worked for Barclays Bank in Hove and was described as a staunch Conservative who had campaigned strongly for the party’s policies and supported their causes. Sally, who was unmarried, maintained a very active life style, dedicating her time to volunteering and helping others.

She was a keen croquet player and a long-time member of the Sussex County Croquet Club in Brighton. She helped the club with events such as tournaments and catering.

She was also a long-time member of the Church of the Good Shepherd in Dyke Road, Brighton.

Even after retirement Sally continued to volunteer at the croquet club and went to church.

Friends said she was and outgoing extrovert with a wonderful personality who had a lot of friends.

Sally died, believed to be from heart failure, in the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton, on October 28.