Death of popular restaurant manager

Maureen Evans collapsed at the Caf Belge on Thursday last week shortly after feeling unwell.

Owner Gary Bush said he and his staff were all in tremendous shock. "We can't believe it. She was never ill. She was very loyal and always looking after everybody.

"She was always running round the restaurant fit and healthy. She never had a day off sick except maybe for a cold and was really well liked."

Mrs Evans, 62, had only recently decided to take life a little easier and in November had cut her hours from five days to two.

She had managed the Marina restaurant for two and a half years and had "more energy than all of us put together," said Mr Bush.

Her husband David, 65, said he was "heartbroken". He described his wife as a real grafter but they had been planning to spend more time together.

"We spent our life together. We liked to travel and wanted to just enjoy one another."

The couple had been publicans for 27 years and retired to Motcombe Court six years ago from Tonbridge.

"I was the one with the heart and diabetes problems, Maureen was fit and vibrant," he said.

She took on what should have been a seasonal job at the former Index catalogue shop in Devonshire Road and when that closed she worked at the Continental until its sale.

She then began work next door at Caf Belge and "loved it".

When the couple decided she should cut her hours, she was so well thought of that she was able to pick her hours.

Maureen was "rich in friends" and will be missed by them and her family including her daughter Wendy, son Jeffrey and grandchildren Leah and Raymond and 93-year-old mother Vera.

Wendy said her mother loved giving dinner parties and entertaining.

"She was a marvellous cook and when we went to dinner it was to a three course meal."

The family said they had been overwhelmed by "so much love and empathy poured in our direction."

They had heard from friends all over the world and as far afield as India.

The funeral has been arranged for next Thursday at Eastbourne Crematorium when it is expected there will be many floral tributes. "She adored flowers. She always bought a big bunch of fresh flowers," said her husband.

Donations in aid of the British Heart Foundation can also be made via funeral director Mummery, Devonshire Road.