A ‘generous and spiritual’ East Devon mum who died after a fatal crash in Colyford has helped others after her death by donating her organs.
Mary Teresa Jones, aged 79, who lived in Colyford, East Devon, died on December 17, 2025, after crash in the village, resulting in her being airlifted to hospital with serious injuries.
Mary’s ‘incredibly proud’ daughter, Paula, has led the tributes to her mum, who lived in Colyford for almost four decades, where she was a supporter of charity work, helping causes close to her heart, which led to her skydiving for her 75th birthday in aid of Parkinson’s UK.
Mary was also strong supporter of organ donation, and her family made sure her wish to help others was fulfilled after her ‘tragic and untimely death’, through donating her liver, kidneys and corneas.
Paula said: “My mum Mary was 79 years young and led an active and energetic life.
“She enjoyed walking the dogs, tending her garden, socialising with family and friends and was a regular attendee at St Michaels Church in Colyford – a village she had lived in for almost 40 years.
“She was a very kind, generous and spiritual person and throughout her life she devoted much of her time to helping others.
“She always volunteered to lend a hand at church functions, she looked out for her elderly friends in the village, baked apple pies for the Colyford Goose Fayre every year and went to the Colyford Memory Café on a Wednesday to give something back to a group of very special people who supported her during my father’s cognitive decline.”
Paula added: “Mum was a supporter of many different charities and marked her 75th birthday with a skydive in aid of Parkinson’s UK as my dad sadly suffered from this debilitating disease.
“She was given the opportunity by BBC Devon to talk about the experience, something she enjoyed immensely.
“Mary was an advocate for organ donation, and we were all incredibly proud that she gave other people the opportunity for a better life by donating her liver, kidneys and corneas.”
Mary died last year after she had been out on foot in Colyford on the morning of December 15, where she was seriously injured after a crash involving a car.
She was airlifted to hospital in Bristol where she died two days later.
Mary’s daughter Paula said: “We all miss mum so very much. Her death has left a huge gap in our lives and we hope that her traumatic, tragic and untimely death will result in much needed improvements in road safety for the villagers of Colyford, as I would hate for anyone else’s family to go through what we are currently experiencing as a family.”
Police said a man living locally was interviewed in connection to the crash and released while investigations continue.
The force is still appealing for witnesses to the crash, and also wants to hear from anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage.
A Devon and Cornwall Police spokesperson said: “Officers were called at 8am on Monday 15 December to a collision in Swan Hill Road involving a red Nissan Micra and a pedestrian.
“The pedestrian sustained serious injuries and was airlifted to hospital.
“Sadly, she died at Southmead Hospital in Bristol on Wednesday 17 December.”
The spokesperson added: “A local man has been interviewed in relation to the incident and released under investigation.
“Officers are continuing to appeal for any witnesses or anyone with relevant dashcam footage who has not yet spoken to police to get in touch.”
If you have information to help police, report it through the force website, or call 101, quoting log 123 of 15 December.
