A WIDOW who was found dead in a pond after going out for a walk was named yesterday as 73-year-old Evelyn Graham, described as an "institution" in her community.
The mother-of-two's body was recovered by police from a pond near Aldbrough St John, near Darlington, on Sunday afternoon.
Mrs Graham, whose husband, Wilf, died in 2000, was a keen horsewoman, the founder of Darlington and District Riding Club and a member of the Zetland Hunt.
She went missing from her home, a farm in the village of Manfield, on Saturday after telling her family she was going for a walk.
When the retired nurse failed to return, the family went looking for her and then contacted police, who searched the area. Officers are not treating the death as suspicious.
Mrs Graham's daughter, Jane, said last night: "It is a tragedy that has shocked and upset everyone who knew this remarkable lady."
David Robinson, joint master of the Zetland Hunt, said: "Evelyn was an institution in this area."
An inquest into her death is expected to open today.
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