Jilly Cooper has supported Meningitis Now since her son Felix nearly died of meningitis as a young child.
Over the years Jilly made many donations and gifted auction prizes, such as signed copies of her bestselling 1988 novel Rivals, recently adapted for television to great acclaim.
Born in Essex in 1937, Jilly and her late husband Leo Cooper moved to Bisley, near Stroud, in 1982. They would have been aware of the Stroud outbreak of meningitis in the late 1980s, after which the charity was formed. She stayed up to date with Meningitis Now news up until her death and would send handwritten notes with her generous donations.
Meningitis Now Chief Executive, Dr Tom Nutt said:
"It is with real sadness that I read the news of Jilly’s death. She was a keen supporter of our work and always a pleasure to interact with. Jilly was not just a local hero but an active part of the Stroud community, and she will be greatly missed. My thoughts are with her family at this sad time.”
