Mrs Dorothy Deadman, proprietor of Dorothy’s Ladies’ Wear in Melksham for 20 years, died of kidney failure caused by pneumonia at the Bath RUH on November 8, aged 84.

Born Dorothy Hill in County Durham, she moved to Melksham at a young age with her sister Norma when her mother took over the milliner’s shop on Bank Street from her mother, Dorothy’s grandmother.

She attended Lowbourne School and then Trowbridge High School for Girls, taking a steam train in every morning with Trowbridge Boys High School student Edward Deadman.

When the Second World War broke out she worked on a local farm as part of the Women’s Land Army, where she learnt to drive a tractor.

When peace was declared and Ted, as he was known, returned from the Navy, the childhood friends began dating, and were married in 1947.

They moved for a while to Brighton, where she worked as an office clerk, before returning to Melksham in 1967, when she took over running the shop, which now sold ladies’ dresses.

The couple had two children, David and Diana, four grandchildren and four great grandchildren, many of whom still live in Wiltshire.

A keen bowls player, she was a founder member of the GEC Ladies’ Club at the Spencer Sports and Social Club, and enjoyed painting and travelling, particularly to Switzerland.

Well-known to many as Dot, she had a wide circle of friends and continued to be very active after her retirement in 1987, often organising coffee mornings in the town.

Her funeral will take place at the West Wiltshire Crematorium, Semington, today at 10.45am. Donations in her memory can be made to the Alzheimer’s Society, via DJ Bewley Funeral Directors, on 01225 702521.