A St. George's stalwart and fashion icon has died at the young age of 76.

Yola Smith who was known far and wide for her wild hats and devotion to Cup Match, died at the King Edward VII Memorial hospital on Friday from cancer.

A devotee to the Cup Match holiday it was really no surprise. Mrs. Smith was born and grew up in a house off the St. George's cricket field.

The grandmother and great-grandmother was also a New Year's baby who never seemed to grow out the "good life" according to her daughter.

Carol Smith said her mother always enjoyed life and that she could not have been more lucky to have a mother and a best friend.

She said: "She was one of these women who enjoyed the festivities. She was known as The Hat Lady and during Cup Match she lived on the field.

"She enjoyed life; she enjoyed people. I was lucky to have had both a mother and a friend."

Ms. Smith said she also managed to inherit her mother's flair for dressing and never needed to turn to the pages of Vogue to find the latest trends.

Her mother had been a chef for even the Royal Airforce while they were stationed on the Island, continued cooking for her family and friends.

And until Mrs. Smith found out she had cancer, she had volunteered at the hospital.

Denise Varga, who was like a sister to Carol, said it had not hit her that such a lovely woman who was like a mother to her was gone.

She said: "Carol has been like a sister to me and her mother treated us as her family. Utmost respect you gave her and you got respect back.

"She was a classy lady. She took in everyone and listened to every gripe you had. She had the values of a true Bermudian. I don't think it has hit me yet."

The viewing for Mrs. Smith will be held tomorrow at the St. George's Cricket Field and her funeral will be on Wednesday at the Christ Church in Devonshire.