Lady Mary Soames, the last surviving child of Winston Churchill, has died at the age of 91. The family announced that she passed away on Saturday, due to an illness.

Soames was born in 1922, and is the youngest of the five Churchill siblings. When her father led the British against the German Nazis in World War II, Soames joined the first Red Cross to serve with her father. She also served in Germany, Belgium, and London.

In addition, Soames spent time travelling with her father, and was present during the post-war planning conference in Germany.

Nicolas Soames, Lady Mary’s son, said that his mother was a distinguished writer who led a great life and provided her service during the war. He also said that it is a coincidence that his mother passed away just before the 70^th anniversary of D-Day, which is on June 6. “It is the great swing of history,” he said.

@fifisyms Thant you so much she was truly a wonderful and distinguished person and very much the head and heart of our family.

— Nicholas Soames (@nsoamesmp) June 1, 2014

He added, “She was not just a wonderful mother to whom we were all devoted, but the head and heart of our family after our father died, and will be greatly missed.”

Soames spent her life giving service to the public, both by birth and marriage. She married Christopher Soames in 1947, who was a Conservative politician who served as a minister under Margaret Thatcher, Alec Douglas-Home, Harold Macmillan, and Anthony Eden.

Prime Minister David Cameron also expressed his grief over the death of Soames. He described her as a warm-hearted and wonderful woman. “In the week of the 70^th anniversary of D-Day, we remember that she served her country in World War II and was an eye-witness to some of the most important moments in our recent history as she accompanied her father to key conferences.”

I’m saddened to hear Mary Soames, Winston Churchill’s last surviving child, has died. Her family can take pride in her distinguished life.

— David Cameron (@David_Cameron) June 1, 2014

Lady Mary Soames is survived by five children, Arthur Nicholas, Emma Mary, Jeremy Bernard, Charlotte Clementine, and Rupert Christopher.

Image via YouTube