THE widow of the former Dean of Winchester, who died recently, has passed away.

Tessa Till died weeks after the sudden death of her husband Michael, 77, who was dean from 1996 to 2005.

Although very ill she had attended his funeral at Winchester Cathedral in December.

The present dean, the Very Rev James Atwell, paid tribute to her, saying: “She was a colourful character who fought her illness with typical determination.”

She worked for l’Arche, which serves communities across the world for people with learning disabilities.

Her funeral was held at the cathedral on Friday.