‘Warm, passionate, charming’ Marion deserved an MBE

But for Marion Grimwood, looking after her husband Cliff was only one facet of a life dedicated to serving others.

The former nurse and teacher, who died suddenly on Monday aged 82, had cared for Mr Grimwood since he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in his early 30s.

She was a founder member and later president of the Leamington and Warwick branch of the Parkinson’s Disease Society, but also became a formidable campaigner on behalf of elderly people in the area.

She combined energy, intelligence and dedication with the ability to motivate others and helped set up many groups.

Warwick district councillor Roger Copping, who worked with Mrs Grimwood in the Parkinson’s Disease Society, said: “To know Marion was to love her. She had a a very warm personality and was always very cheerful.

“She was a stalwart. Her whole life was dedicated to helping people. The amount of service she gave to the community was phenomenal. She really should have had an MBE years ago.”

Mrs Grimwood spend 29 years working for south Warwickshire’s family planning service as a nurse. She taught sex education classes at schools and youth clubs and lectured on health and social care at Warwickshire College.

Her husband Cliff developed Parkinson’s Disease in his early 30s, and she was one of the founders of the Leamington and Warwick branch of the Parkinson’s Disease Society.

Continuing her work after Mr Grimwood’s death in 2005, she was instrumental in securing a Parkinson’s nurse for the area and was a welfare officer for South Warwickshire Carers’ Support Service.

She also set up the Senior People’s Forum and most recently helped set up the Older People’s Action Group.

Many respected Mrs Grimwood’s fierce advocacy of elderly people’s rights and ability to ask awkward questions of politicians.

Former Warwick and Leamington MP James Plaskitt recalled Mrs Grimwood’s “irresistible” mixture of passion and charm and said many improvements in care for the elderly in this area happened only because of her determination.

He said: “Marion was a great lady and she is going to be greatly missed by so many people right across our district.

“She was a tireless and extremely effective campaigner on health and elderly care issues. Every summons from Marion had to be taken seriously and it was no good going unprepared - she would always be fully informed on everything that was going on.”

Marion Grimwood leaves three children Michael, Paul and Wendy and several grandchildren.