A retired health visitor manager died of a brain haemorrhage after falling off a ladder outside her house.
Vera Klein, 72, of Towerscroft Avenue, St Leonards, was clearing leaves out of her guttering on February 15 when the accident happened.
She sustained head injuries and bruising to her chest.
Neighbours found her lying on her bed before calling
an ambulance.
At an inquest into her death her neighbour and friend of 20 years John Bambridge said: "I was in my front garden and noticed she was on her ladder and spoke to her about the dangers of using it on uneven ground.
"But she insisted she didn't want any help. She was quite independent."
Kenneth Furnival, Mrs Klein's next-door neighbour, said: "She had a bad back which used to annoy her.
"She also recently started driving again after having to lay off it because of recent trouble with her heart.
"On the day in question I was woken up at around 10.30am by a delivery of a food basket for her.
"I went over to her house to deliver it but got no answer so I returned there three more times in the afternoon but still there was no answer.
"Her car was there and no lights were on. Whenever she went away she would always telephone us to let us know."
Mr Furnival became more concerned after finding a big ladder lying on the ground next to the patio door which was open.
He then found Mrs Klein lying on her bed in her bedroom.
Coroner Alan Craze recorded a verdict of death by misadventure.
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