A PRESCHOOL owner who raised generations of people in Basildon has sadly died.

April Eggleton, 76, died on November 8 after she was diagnosed with womb cancer in April.

She was well known and loved throughout the Basildon borough for creating and running Manor House Preschool for the past 45 years.

Mrs Eggleton created the school in 1974, transforming it from a mother and baby group, as she felt the area needed a preschool. She organised it with the council, and was in the driving seat every day for the rest of her life.

Even in her final months when she was fighting cancer, she still tried to be involved as much as possible with the school, originally on Worthing Road and now based in King Edward Road in Laindon.

The school is now run by her daughter Tracy Hills. The preschool paid tribute to her on their social media pages, saying she was “incredible”.

Jade Hills, 27, one of April’s two grandchildren, said the loss of her grandmother has been felt by many people in Basildon.

She said: “It’s absolutely incredible how many people she will have raised over the years. It’s multi-generational.

“Since she died, we’ve had people visit us or speak to use who are between 50 and 60-years-old who were taught by her, and they’ve had children who have been looked after by her.

“Even in her final months, she sometimes came to the school to help, even though she was in a wheelchair.

“As a grandmother, she played a huge role in raising me and my brother. She never made us feel like we didn’t have any money; she would take us to places across London and Essex and always kept us busy.

“We were spoilt to have her in our lives. I really feel like I’ve lost someone that was a third parent.”

April’s funeral is set to be held in the near future and all who knew her are invited to attend.

Anyone wishing to find out details can call the funeral directors Butler and English on 01268 856382.

Her family will be speaking with Basildon Council about getting a memorial bench in her honour.