TRIBUTES have been paid to a well respected Abergavenny woman who was made a Dame of the Order of St Gregory by Pope Benedict who sadly died this week.

Iris Coldrey, 79, died suddenly at her home on Tuesday morning. Mrs Coldrey was actively involved in charity work and was a driving force behind the building of St Michael's Centre.

Father Dom Thomas Regan said, "Iris was a well known local personality actively involved in charitable work, particularly in the medical field but also with the Gwent Bach Society, choirs, orchestras and with our fundraising at Our Lady and St Michael's towards the St Michael's Centre.

"A few years ago she was made a Dame of the Order of St Gregory by Pope Benedict - it is the equivalent in Catholic terms of someone being made a Dame. It reflects the calibre of woman that she was. She was always happy to be beavering away helping people and was so very modest. I will miss her."

Tribute was also paid by St Michael's Centre chairman Chris Woodhouse, who described Mrs Coldrey as a 'lovely lady' and highlighted her work with local groups such as The Gwent Bach Society as well as the church.

Mrs Coldrey leaves a husband Peter and three children. Her funeral will take place on Tuesday September 14 at 9.30am at Our Lady and St Michael's Church.