A WOMAN who was at the heart of a village community near Worcester for 33 years has died peacefully at Worcestershire Royal Hospital aged 71.

Doreen Turner, who liked to be called Do, was born in Worcester but moved to Ombersley in 1975 after marrying Arthur Turner, who was born and bred in the village.

She immediately settled into life in the village becoming the chairman president and main fund-raiser for the village hall, the secretary of the Ombersley branch of the Royal British Legion, and the driving force behind the Ombersley Dramatic Society, for which she also made many costumes over the years.

Mr Turner said: "She took to the village and the village took to her. She organised magnificent social evenings and cookery events. Since she retired she devoted her life to raising funds for the hall."

She was well known for her cake making and organising others to bake for her bank holiday cake stall on her front porch. One year she raised a record £400 in just two hours.

Mrs Turner also worked as a legal secretary, a secretary at Metal Box and for a government-funded youth service. She retired aged 62.

Her love of amateur dramatics started in Severn Stoke and extended to the St John's Players in Worcester as well as the Ombersley Dramatic Society. "She acted and she was a very good director and directed many plays," said Mr Turner.

"She was a person who did not suffer fools gladly but you never heard her say an unkind word about anyone and if she could help anyone, she would."

Mrs Turner had suffered from ill health in recent years but continued to support community activities. "How she managed to do all these things, I do not know," Mr Turner said.

She died of multiple organ failure on Tuesday, February 12. She leaves her husband and a brother, Ken Smith, of Wiltshire.

A service will be held at Worcester Crematorium on Friday at 2.30pm and a service to celebrate her life will take place on Saturday, April 12, at 2.30pm in St Andrew's Church, Ombersley.

Mr Turner added: "I want the service on April 12 to be a joyous affair.

"I do not want black suits.

"I want people to wear something pretty in April."