Tribute to acclaimed actress who lived in Thame

THE death has been announced of a well-loved character actress whose work included parts in Harry Potter, television and cinema costume dramas, as well as Midsomer Murders, and who lived in Thame until her death last Wednesday, July 2.
Elizabeth Spriggs, who lived in Thame Park Road, was a great supporter of local culture and had a memorable encounter a couple of years ago when she attended one of Thame Choral Society’s concerts in St Mary’s Church, with Thame’s current Deputy Mayor, Jeanette Matelot Green, a family friend.

Jeanette recalls: “The soloist was Lithuanian I think, and in the interval she went up to Elizabeth and said: ‘Are you Elizabeth Spriggs? You are my mother’s favourite actress. We have watched Sense and
Sensibility (Back home in Lithuania) on our DVD many, many times.’
“Elizabeth was thrilled that someone from as far away as Eastern Europe would instantly recognise her.”

Jeanette paid this tribute to Elizabeth Spriggs:

“I have always followed Elizabeth’s career since I was sent a set of videos of the Glittering Prizes whilst working in Hong Kong in the early eighties. After that, she popped up in such a kaleidoscope of parts from Shakespeare to Harry Potter via Midsomer Murders. I was delighted when she moved to Thame a few years ago and to discover she was the aunt of a very close friend of mine, Abi Williams. On the few occasions I met her I was not disappointed to find she was as warm and extravagant as many of the roles she played. I find it very sad that she has left us so suddenly but the people of Thame will not forget her memorable character in Midsomer Murders.
“Her performance was so good that despite her murder in one episode, she was persuaded to come back as her twin sister to reprise the role! Goodbye, Elizabeth. “We are such stuff as dreams are made on; and our little life is rounded with a sleep.”(The Tempest)

Elizabeth died at the John Radcliffe hospital, Oxford, and donations to the hospital’s Intensive Care unit and flowers can be sent to the funeral directors, Robert Surman on 01844 351323.

Elizabeth Spriggs was married three times; to Kenneth Spriggs, Marshall Jones and, since the early 1970s, to Murray Manson, a classical guitarist. He survives her, as does Wendy, her daughter from her first marriage.