A MEMORIAL service is to be held for the mother and daughter who were found dead in their Wheathampstead home last month.

The village was left shocked when the bodies of Stephania Wolf, 67, and her mentally and physically disabled daughter Samantha, 29, were discovered in their Marford Road home on Saturday, July 31.

Police are still awaiting tests to establish the exact causes of death, but they quickly ruled out any suspicious circumstances and neighbours told the Herts Advertiser at the time that Samantha was thought to have starved to death after her mother, who was originally from Poland, passed away in bed.

Paying tribute to her mum following her death, Stephania’s remaining daughter said she was a vibrant and hard-working woman who loved life and dedicated her time to caring for Samantha, who had been born with a number of disabilities including epilepsy and heart problems.

Recalling fond memories of Samantha, she described her as “great fun as a sister”, a “real character” and very intelligent, understanding both English and Polish.

But the daughter, who lives in Bedfordshire, said that her mother had been increasingly dismissive of any attempts to help her care for Samantha.

A private family funeral was held in Milton Keynes last Thursday (August 19) and was attended by Mr John Grace, the Reader at St Helen’s Church in Wheathampstead, to represent the Rector, other church leaders in the village and ward councillor Chris Oxley.

And a memorial service which the whole community is invited to is now being arranged to take place at a date yet to be confirmed in September.

A spokesperson for the Diocese of St Albans said: “There have been prayers said during August for the deceased and their family at Wheathampstead churches.

“The Rector of Wheathampstead, the Rev Richard Banham, recognising the shock the community in Wheathampstead have felt at the deaths of Stephania and Samantha, wishes to extend support both to the bereaved family and to the local community.

“After discussions with Stephania and Samantha’s family, he therefore plans to hold a memorial service at St Helen’s Church, Wheathampstead, at a date to be arranged in September. The Wheathampstead community at large is invited to attend.”

At the family’s request, a collection for Great Ormond Street Hospital will be made.