News has been received of the death of Gillian Startin, the wife of a former commander of the Royal Navy’s base at HMS Malabar in Dockyard.

Her family said Mrs. Startin died on Saturday after a short illness. Mrs. Startin was the wife of Lt. Cmdr. James Startin who commanded HMS Malabar from 1986 to 1990.

Malabar closed in the 1990s after the end of the Cold War, ending the Royal Navy’s centuries-long permanent presence in Bermuda.

Family friend Kitty Knudsen said: “Gillian was a formidable hostess and organiser and known to many in the island having also lived here in the 1960s and been very involved in many different charities and organisations.”

She said Mrs. Startin was an avid tennis player and a stalwart member of St. James Anglican Church in Sandys.

The family said Mrs. Startin and her husband regularly visited Bermuda after leaving Malabar, “and have many happy memories of good and kind friends in the Island”.

Mrs. Startin also leaves three children and five grandchildren.

Funeral arrangements will be announced later.