Tributes paid to 'a simply wonderful wife' and 'a lady with a faith in humanity' after A27 crash

Tributes have been paid by the families of two women who died in a collision on the A27 near Chichester last Thursday (February, 27). Gillian Casey (pictured right), 75, of Turnbull Road, Chichester, and Elizabeth Wales (pictured left), known as Anne, 80, of Melbourne Road, Chichester, died when the purple Renault they were passengers in collided with a white Ford Focus. Police said both vehicles left the road at the Fishbourne roundabout, and crashed into trees alongside the eastbound carriageway, just after 10pm. Emergency services, including an air ambulance, attended but Gillian and Anne both died at the scene, according to officers. Paying tribute to Gillian, her family said: "Gill was quite simply a wonderful wife, mother and grandma. "Throughout her working life she was a dedicated primary school teacher, and in her spare time and since retirement she loved to spend time with her family and her many close friends.  "She was a passionate gardener and was an active and valued member of a large number of local clubs. "Gill was a committed woman of faith and spent significant periods of time working on behalf of those less fortunate than herself. "She regularly assisted at a local parish soup kitchen, raised large amounts of money on behalf of Christian Aid, volunteered to visit the elderly and lonely and worked with refugee families.  "Gill’s passing has left a massive void in the lives of the many people who loved her. "She leaves behind her devoted husband Francis, her adoring children Ben, Eleanor, Matthew and Jonathan and her loving grandchildren Alessandra, Thomas, Joseph, Niamh, Freya, Daniel and Luca." Paying tribute to Anne, her family said: "Elizabeth Anne Wales, known to everyone as Anne, had an unyielding and heartfelt commitment to the needs of others. "Anne had lived in Chichester since 2002; she volunteered locally for Stonepillow on behalf of the homeless and was for decades a volunteer with Samaritans. "Anne’s freely-given care extended also to Chichester Children's Contact Centre and the local Christian Aid branch. "She chaired the committees of both, the latter alongside her husband Derek. "Anne was a lady with a faith in both God and humanity that was deep, thoughtful and outward-looking. "She attended and supported both St. Paul's Church and Christ Church.  "For many years Anne was the essential heart of her family. "She gave unstintingly of herself to her children and latterly showed a similar loving commitment to her grandchildren. "Among the extended family, and her many friends, she was cherished for a quite remarkable ability to offer love, support, fun and wise counsel. "The sudden loss of Mum, of Nanny, of Anne leaves a hole in our lives like no other." The driver of the Ford, a 27-year-old man from Emsworth, remains in hospital with potentially life-threatening head injuries. The three other occupants of the Renault suffered minor injuries.  Anyone with information about the collision is asked to contact 101, quoting Operation Larkhill.

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