Mrs Cardall, 83, was the wife of one of Southam's best-known citizens, Jack, who was a keen collector and promoter of everything associated with history of the town and surrounding area.

After her husband's death in 1976, she moved from Beech Hurst into a converted stable block - Beech Loft - and took his collection with her.

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She continued to extend, research and document the items, which now fill the ground floor of the house.

The collection was accessible to anyone who wanted to view it and she held regular open days, the last of which was on June 3 this year in aid of St James' church, where she worshipped.

Last year, the Friends of the Cardall Collection was established to help find a permanent home for the artefacts and members have been working with Warwickshire Museum staff to document the items.

Mrs Cardall, who was known for her independence and passion for the town, was chairman of Southam Friendship Group for 30 years and a founder member of the town's local history society.

She often wrote articles on Southam's past, as her husband had done, and even recorded her memories. She sang the local ditty 'fish and chips' for an oral history project co-ordinated by the Friends a few weeks ago, despite suffering from throat cancer.

Earlier in the year, she embraced iPod technology by recording an item for the Shakespeare Country Talking the Walk series on Southam.

Friends chairman Bernard Cardogan said: "Renee was absolutely delighted when the group got together and she was full of enthusiasm and encouragement.

"Particularly at the end when she was very ill, I was amazed that she insisted that we came to her home and carry on documenting the collection.

"She believed in Southam and preserving its history for future generations. She will be sadly missed by all who knew her."

The group hope the collection will be housed in a 'one-stop shop' for council services that Stratford District Council is planning to create in Southam.

Her funeral will be held at St James' church at midday on July 16, followed by cremation at Oakley Wood. Family flowers only. Donations to Macmillan Cancer Support or Myton Hospice.
www.macmillan.org.uk www.mytonhospice.org