Tributes are being paid to a popular Ryde resident who has died at her home, aged 65.

Phillippa Jane Hayward (née Guthrie), known as Pip, was a familiar face on the Island, having spent many years at Forget-Me-Not, the much-missed stationery and art materials shop, in Newport.

Her husband Philip (Phil) Hayward described her as a 'social butterfly' who, over the years, made major contributions to various Island groups, including Ryde Round Table Ladies’ Circle, the Ryde Cemetery Heritage Group, and the Southern Vectis “Old Pals” Group.

Pip was born on September 29, 1957 in Newport to Ernest and Kitty Guthrie, both Londoners who had relocated to the Island in 1946.

Her father was a bus driver, and her mother was a homemaker.

The youngest of four children, she grew up in Newport, initially in Prospect Road before moving with her parents to Robin Hood Street.

Pip worked in a number of jobs in her teenage years, including a stint at Woolworths, before starting at the Isle of Wight Tourist Board in 1977. From then she moved on to the Inland Revenue.

In 1977 Pip met Phil at Colonel Bogey’s nightclub in Sandown and they married on July 14, 1979 at Newport Registry Office.

A job opportunity for Phil saw them leave the Island in 1984. But they returned in 1987, and their son Tim was born the folllowing January. 

Nicola, their daughter, followed in December 1992.

Pip left full-time work to devote her time to her children.

In July 1988, the family moved to Mayfield Road, Ryde where they have lived ever since.

When Pip returned to work, she started at Forget-Me-Not.

There, she was able to indulge in her passion for arts and crafts, as well as her great love of helping people.

She was especially happy when daughter Nicola worked alongside her during the summer holidays.

Her other great loves in life were her family, friends, cooking and baking, knitting and crochet.

Pip was especially close to her sister Rose who died on July 9 this year.

Pip is survived by her husband Phil, son Tim, daughter Nicola, daughter-in-law Kristy and son-in-law Jana.

Her first grandson, James Ernest, is expected at the end of November.

For funeral details, please email the.haywards.62@gmail.com.