The house in Greenwood Gardens

Granddaughter pays tribute to ‘fun-loving’ and ‘inseparable’ couple found dead in Hainault

Lizzie Dearden, Reporter Thursday, March 7, 2013
10:58 AM

The granddaughter of a woman found dead with her partner in their Hainault home has paid tribute to the “fun-loving” and “inseparable” couple.

Eileen Knight, 88, and Alfred Stringer, 69, were found in Greenwood Gardens on February 24.

The couple, who were engaged but never married, had been together for more than 40 years and shared a love for music and dancing.

Mrs Knight’s granddaughter, Lisa Corps, 43, said: “They were so fun-loving and they had so much life in them.

“They loved rock’n’roll and country and western music.

“They went to a festival every year in Lowestoft, until last year when my nan had a bad fall.

“But she got up and did her dance for us at Christmas, like every year.”

Ms Corps described Mr Stringer as a dedicated “rockabilly”, who once sported a quiff and fashionable denim jackets.

He was the perfect match for “dancing queen” Mrs Knight.

They lived together in Mr Stringer’s family home, where he had stayed with his mother, Betty, until she passed away.

Mr Stringer worked at the London Electricity Board before his retirement.

The couple did not have any children together but Mrs Knight had five children from a marriage which ended when she was tragically widowed.

Ms Corps estimated she had more than 10 grandchildren as well as great-grandchildren.

Although the cause of Mrs Knight’s death has not officially been determined, it appears Mr Stringer died first from a blood clot.

His body was found covered with a fleece.

Ms Corps said: “We are still all in shock because it was both of them but it’s good they’ve gone together.

“I want to say thank you my mum and dad and aunt Christine for their amazing support.”

Police described the deaths as “non-suspicious” and a post-mortem found Mr Stringer died of natural causes.

Mrs Knight’s death was unexplained and an inquest opened and adjourned on Tuesday.

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