A journalist who became a regional daily’s first-ever female reporter in the 1950s has died aged 84.

Sally Patience joined The Citizen, Gloucester as a young reporter and went on to become a royal correspondent who published a book about the Queen Mother.

During a long career, Sally covered many events attended by members of the Royal Family, including the Queen’s state visits to Malta, Austria, and Luxenbourg, and the Queen Mother’s visit to Paris.

She passed away at her home in Winchester earlier this month following a short illness.

Sally’s godson John Orchard said: “Sally loved people, and she touched so many people’s lives throughout her career, and she continued to help and edit work for colleagues, even after leaving full-time employment.

“She will be sadly missed by a wide circle of friends, both in this country, and also in Austria.”

Born and bred in Gloucestershire, Sally first wrote about Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother after visiting Cheltenham Races and the Badminton Horse Trials.

After starting her career at the Citizen, she moved to London to work for the Women’s Institute magazine Home and County, and other magazines.

One of her roles was as royal reporter, and she followed the Queen and the Queen Mother around on some of their tours.

Her private admiration for the Queen Mother’s stamina and charm was allied in the publication of her book called The Queen Mother, published in 1977.

She also interviewed many other notable figures including the artist David Shepard, and Austrian conductor, Herbert Von Karajan.

During her lifetime, Sally visited Austria many times, building friendships in classical music circles, including with the Swedish soprano Elizabeth Soderstom.