WEST Devon MBE recipient and honorary secretary of The Mary Budding Trust Ann McDonald has died at the age of 76.

Ann, who helped to establish The Mary Budding Trust in 2002 along with then chairman Robin Fenner, was awarded her MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in June this year, for her work with children dealing with special needs.

Her work in Tavistock started when she was taking her young son to the clinic for a hearing test. There she met Dr Mary Budding – when Dr Budding discovered that Ann had been involved in Mencap for many years, she was soon recruited for Tavistock’s District Mencap Society, where she sat on the committee and then became secretary.

During Ann’s time in Princetown Mencap she persuaded the health authority to give grants for holiday and pay schemes for young people with learning difficulties.

At the time she was working for Action for Children and having known most of the young people, was asked to manage the holidays.

They had two residential holidays – one in Plymouth and one in Tavistock with eight children a week for four weeks and a monthly Saturday play scheme, however sadly funding was withdrawn.

After a long wait, Mencap were eventually able to buy the house next to St Rumon’s School in Dolvin Road and it was named after Mary Budding.

When Mary died she left money to Mencap to be used for work with children. The then chairman Robin Fenner drew interested parties together and the Mary Budding Trust was born in Ann’s living room.

Unfortunately Ann’s health prevented her from attending an investiture at the palace so the presentation of her MBE was made by her Majesty’s Lord-Lietenant of Devon, David Fursdon, at the Bedford Hotel at the end of October.

During the day the Town Crier, David Turner, delivered three cries and referred to her as ‘A much respected and much loved member of the community’. He added that the citation heralded the recognition of the amazing commitment to people shown by a remarkable lady.

Ann was joined by her son Ian, daughter Kathryn and about 120 of her friends including Lord and Lady (Billie) Burnett.

Ann’s son Ian McDonald said: ‘She was hugely proud of her MBE and she considered it as something that was not just for her, she saw it as something that was awarded to everyone for all the hard work that had been done.

‘She was hugely proud to have made the contributions she did but she enjoyed it as well as it was really rewarding work. She loved meeting new people and seeing people that she had worked with when they were children growing up in Tavistock. She was also really proud to have been able to accept the MBE herself in front of all her friends and family.’

Expressions of sympathy were also posted on social media. Town Councillor Allen Lewis wrote: ‘We say farewell to this very special lady. Having just received her MBE she has lost her fight to cancer. What a wonderful lady!!’; Cllr John Sheldon wrote (on Friday morning): ‘Sorry to hear that Ann McDonald has passed away this morning.’; Diane Thomas wrote: ‘RIP Ann, a wonderful lady always helping others. Thoughts are with her family.’; Ali J Edington Bellamy wrote: ‘A dear, dear lady. Rest in peace my friend.’