A CHARISMATIC Worcester woman who devoted her life to the arts has died, aged 99.

Bridget Monahan, whose motto was ‘take music out to those who would not otherwise seek it’, died on Saturday, August 15.

First and foremost a cellist, Miss Monahan spent her life encouraging others to enjoy the arts and raising funds for charity.

She once played under the baton of Sir Edward Elgar and was a close friend of his daughter Carice Elgar-Blake, but was best known for founding the Salon Arts Club.

The group would meet in The Stables, a small concert hall behind Miss Monahan’s home in Albany Terrace, Worcester.

The orchestra disbanded in March last year when she moved into a Malvern nursing home, but members past and present will remember their leader as an inspirational woman and extraordinary friend. Miss Monahan’s niece Sheila Campbell said her aunt was a huge influence on many people.

She said: “She had taught so many people over the years. She was an inspiration.

“Her first ever pupil passed away just a few weeks before she did and I think that upset her greatly.

“She was just so keen on encouragaing others, especially young people, to enjoy music. Her two real passions were her faith and her music.”

Miss Monahan was born in May 1920, one of three daughters, and grew up in London Road, Worcester.

She learnt to play the piano aged seven and attended Lawnside School in Malvern.

As a young woman she ran the Sunday school at Old St Martin’s Church, where her father was rector.

Before establishing Salon Arts, Miss Monahan helped found the St Swithun’s Dramatic Society.

For many years she produced pageants and plays for St Stephen’s Church, she taught violin and cello at the former Sacred Heart College for Boys in Droitwich, gave music lessons at Sunnyside School, published poetry, and was an ardant supporter of both Worcester’s Swan Theatre and the Elgar Society.

All of her concerts raised money for charity, often the Musicians Benevolence Fund.

She was forced to give up playing herself in 1997 due to poor eyesight, but remained a passionate promoter of local arts and she spent her last years supporting the Sisters of Bangladesh.

Miss Monahan leaves three neices and nephews, and an extended family of 20.

Her funeral will be held at Old St Martin’s Church in the Cornmarket at 2.45pm on Wednesday, September 2.