Dilys Ling (nee Hibbert) passed away on January 2, just six days after her 69th birthday, at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital after a bravely fought 12-year battle against cancer.
Born at Mill Hill, London, Dilys won a scholarship to Westonbirt Girls School. After returning to Haywards Heath Grammar School for A levels, she studied ophthalmic optics at the Northampton College of Science and Advanced Technology, London. There she met her husband Mike and qualified as a Fellow of the British Optical Association and a Fellow of the Spectacle Maker's Company.
She married Mike at the St Nicholas Church, North Walsham and after some years working for Cecil Amey Opticians in Norwich, she joined Mike at their North Walsham practice, RM Ling Optometrists, where she worked until illness forced her retirement in 1999.
She was tireless in her work to help others and was a member of the Women's Institute, Inner Wheel, Ladies Circle and Tangent. Even in this busy life, she had all the time in the world to be a loving mother of her two boys, Martin MCOptom, and Graham C Eng MIET, and delighted in her five grandchildren - Rachel, Harry, Lewis, Alexander and Benjamin.
A memorial service was held at the St Nicholas Church, North Walsham on January 20. Donations, if desired, can be sent to The Big C Norfolk and Waveney Cancer Charity, care of Murrell Cork Funeral Directors, 57a Mundesley Road, North Walsham, NR28 0DB.