ONE of Bournemouth’s most high profile and longest serving hoteliers has died at the age of 68 following a five-year battle with cancer.

Jennie Deavin started her hotel career in 1967, working with her parents at the Bonnington Hotel before purchasing it from them in 1972.

From there she went on to own the West Cliff Hall Hotel (now the Bourne Hall Hotel) and the Pavilion Hotel, now the Ramada Encore, which her family still owns.

In 1987, the mother-of-three bought the Marsham Court Hotel, in Russell-Cotes Road, where she has been for the last 30 years.

Two years ago Jennie was made an honorary lifetime member of the Bournemouth Hotel and Accommodation Association (BAHA) and was thrilled to win the Large Hotel of the Year award along with her daughter, Rosie Wallace, at the 2016 Bournemouth Tourism Awards.

Rosie said: “Mum fought a long battle with cancer, but not once did she lose her passion for the hotel business or her unshakeable sense of humour.

“Everyone who knew her loved her.

“She died surrounded by her family, content in the knowledge that she had not only created her own thriving business, but that she had also played a part in shaping the success of the local hospitality industry.”

Last year Jennie was thrown a party to celebrate 45 years in the hotel trade.

She told the Daily Echo she believed her biggest achievement was seeing her recruits pursue their own successful careers.

"The best thing about this job has always been the wonderful staff," she said.

"Some people get upset when their staff leave them but I don't. I only get upset when I know they are not going on to something even better.”

Her former colleagues described her as "a tour de force" and "no nonsense"

One, Rosie Burns, was given an apprenticeship at the Marsham Court in 2007 at the age of 16 and now works for a national events firm.

She said: "After I left the hotel, Jennie sent me a handwritten letter thanking me for everything and telling me to ‘spread my wings’ and be the best I could be. It meant a lot and I still have the letter now."

Jennie’s funeral will be held on Monday, April 24, at 10am at St Peter’s Church in Hinton Road, Bournemouth. Her family have requested that no black is worn.