Generous, creative Roz will be missed terribly

I was deeply saddened to learn of Roz Clarke’s passing, reported in the Maidenhead Advertiser and Windsor Express (‘Tributes paid to fashion boutique owner Roz Clarke’, January 25).

Like many of Roz’s dedicated customers, I first ventured into her wonderful shop to look for a special outfit and soon found myself stopping by regularly to say hello and catch up on community matters, world politics, the weather and, of course, to look for inspiring clothes.

One of the great longstanding independent retailers in the borough, Roz

Clarke and her boutique played vitally important roles in the local economy for more than four decades, catering to both local and visiting shoppers and making friendships in the process.

Roz supported the local community in other ways as well, generously contributing raffle prizes for good causes which more recently included launches of Windsor Cycle Hub and the Borough-wide Wildlife Gardens Awards, and during the town’s celebrations for Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee, the boutique was among a number of Highly Commended participants in the Windsor and Eton Facelift Project’s window display competition which attracted over 230 entries.

Infectious humour, kindness, creative insight and good business sense were hallmarks of Roz’s character and at the heart of her work and impact on the town.

The warmly welcoming, thoughtfully curated light-filled interior of the St Leonard’s Road shop joyfully reflected those qualities – a bright beacon in the town. We will cherish valuable memories of Roz, and miss her terribly.

SUSY SHEARER Windsor