The “most caring soul” who was “always trying to help everyone”, Liz Rafferty was a stalwart of the Kings Langley community.

Her life was rich and varied. A wife and mother of two sons, she co-owned a shop, became a county and parish councillor, a magistrate and the editor of a village newspaper, having previously helped establish a voter registration scheme for the homeless and build an adventure playground when she had lived in London.

“She was well-known, well-liked and well-respected,” said former Kings Langley parish councillor Steve Cox.

Elizabeth Anne Cox was born on February 14, 1945 in Kings Langley. She attended a private primary school in the village before moving to Stanborough School in Garston.

Liz worked for British Rail and the Economist Intelligence Unit when she was younger and performed with the Kings Langley Players and the Kings Langley Light Operatic Company.

She moved to London in the 1960s where she met her husband, John Rafferty. They married in Langleybury Church in 1967 and were to have two sons, John and Kai.

Her love of community work soon shone through during her time in London and it was to continue after returning to Kings Langley.

Liz became chair of the history society, reintroduced the ‘beating of the bounds’, co-founded the Villager newspaper, was a school governor and established ‘health walks’ in the village.

She co-founded and ran Stitches, a well-loved haberdashery in High Street, with a close friend for many years. She was a great supporter of the local shops and would do anything to help and support individuals and businesses in the community.

Her community work continued in a professional capacity as a parish and county councillor and then a magistrate.

“It was my pleasure to serve with Liz on Kings Langley Parish Council for more than ten years,” said Cllr Cox. “It was a very innovative council, with a spruced-up gardens competition, anti-crime initiatives and we won the battle to get the village a fish and chip shop opened where Bromwich the greengrocers was in Hempstead Road.

“Liz was a very popular lady and her interest in Kings Langley encompassed many aspects of village life. My condolences to her family.”

County councillor for West Watford and deputy leader of Herts County Labour Group Nigel Bell said: “I didn’t know Liz very well and hadn’t met her for quite a few years, but I was always struck when I met her by her genuine interest in how I was and that is what other colleagues and residents have told me.

“She seemed to have no ‘side’ to her but a real commitment to help and serve the residents she was elected to represent on the county council or parish council.”

Liz and John moved to Grenada after retiring, but her community work continued. She volunteered at the Grenada National Museum and spearheaded a campaign to promote the growing and use of cassava, a root vegetable, for which she received an award from the Ministry of Agriculture.

Liz and John moved back to the village in 2017 to be closer to family once more.

“[She was] the most caring soul, always trying to help everyone,” Kai said, reflecting on how his mother had looked after an elderly aunt and then her own parents as well as bringing up two children.

Elizabeth Anne Rafferty died peacefully on October 27, aged 76. She leaves her husband John, sons John and Kai and grandchildren Brendan, Evelyn, Eily and Owen.

Her funeral will take place at 2pm on Friday, November 19 at All Saints Church, Kings Langley.