Observer stalwart Karin dies at 91

Karin's husband died in 1980. She had no children, but leaves two sisters, Kerstin and Ingrid, who live with the rest of her relatives in south Sweden.

Karin moved to England during the Second World War and settled in London.

She received special permission from the Swedish and London Embassies to emigrate and get married within weeks.

Whilst in London, she worked for the Swedish Tourist Bureau, and her duties included showing Swedish nationals around various iconic sights including the De La Warr Pavilion.

After moving to Crowhurst Park, the couple came to Bexhill.

They first lived in Eversley Road, before moving to Magdalen Road.

During this time Karin worked in the Observer offices in Sackville Road, as well as involving herself in charity work for MS and St Michael's Hospice.

She also helped out in a second-hand shop in Sea Road.

Karin had been living in Bay House Nursing Home for two years before she died.

Eva Heyes, Karin's best friend, said: "I met her 20 years ago in the early 1980s, just after her husband died.

"We used to be a little gang of Swedes meeting once a week for lunch or coffee. There's only myself and one other left now.

"Karin was wonderful, all the way up to the end. Really smiley, and liked a drink. She had a wonderful life and was ready to go. The care she received at Bay House was excellent, they are some of the most caring people ever.

"To the very end, the two of us spoke Swedish together all the time. She never lost it at all."

Karin's neice and nephew are flying over for the funeral, which takes place on Thursday, May 7 at 11.15am in the Family Chapel of Eastbourne Crematorium.

Rather than flowers, well-wishers are asked to send a donation to St Michael's Hospice, care of Mummery Funeral Directors, 31 Devonshire Road, Bexhill, TN40 1AH.

Former Observer Deputy Editor John Dowling worked with Karin during her time at the Observer.

He added his own tribute:

"She was a truly indomitable character. She was a wonderful friend and work colleague and a fantastically loyal member of staff but she was a tough nut and believed in speaking her mind.

"There was a wonderful occasion when she walked into a Bexhill bank and found a Swedish student sitting on the counter and banging his heels against the panelling.

"The student had not expected to be addressed by a fellow Swede in Bexhill - and certainly not the barked order from the other side of the bank to get his backside off the counter and stop bringing their country into disrepute!"