MANY local people shared memories of a lady who had lived in Yeoford for almost 70 years and who had been "dinner lady" at the village primary school.

Beatrice (Beattie) Salter died peacefully aged 92 on December 7. Her funeral service was held at Exeter and Devon Crematorium with Mr Geoff Wood as Celebrant on Wednesday, January 9.

Donations for Cancer Research UK totalled £125 and may still be made in Beattie’s memory through B G Wills Funeral Service, 23 Brunswick Place, Dawlish EX7 9PD.

Born in Crediton, Beattie was part of a large family. Her maiden name was Pike, she had four brothers and two sisters but lost her parents when she was at an early age.

During the last World War she joined the Women’s Land Army and was awarded a service medal by Gordon Brown when he was Prime Minister.

In his tribute to her, Beattie’s son David said this had been a hard life but one she had enjoyed and talked about with fond memories.

Beattie met her husband, Bill, after the war, setting up home in Yeoford, where Beattie lived until the last 18 months of her life.

Bill had been born and raised in Yeoford, his parents living in the cottages opposite the pub. He had been an armoured car driver during the war.

They had two sons - David and Gary, and two daughters, Wendy and Dawn. It was not until her youngest had left the primary school that Beattie took over as dinner lady there, working with Rita Potter, a job she had really enjoyed.

She and Bill had planned to travel more after Bill retired, but he died at the age of 67.

Before then first David and then Wendy and their families had emigrated to Australia and Beattie twice visited them on her own. She also visited other members of her family in Wales.

After Bill’s death Beattie concentrated more on her garden and feeding the birdlife around her home, as well as a friendly tomato growing competition with son-in-law Mike.

The family thank everyone who contributed to the retiring collection at the celebration for Beattie.