Sally Watkis, a former teacher and leading figure in the Girl Guides, who spent 80 years with the movement in Wolverhampton, has died at the age of 91.
Mrs Watkis was president of the Wolverhampton South Division and hosted its annual meeting just six months ago.
She died in Wolverhampton New Cross Hospital on Saturday after a short ill-ness.
She joined the 9th Wolverhampton Guides in 1927 at the age of 11.
She kept up her interest through her life and started the 1st Bushbury and 1st Old Fallings Guide Companies and organised the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme at its inception in the 1950s.
A keen camper, she also organised county international camps abroad as a guider in Guide and Ranger units and at the age of 79 flew to India for a camp.
Mrs Watkis, of Abbots Way, Finchfield, became district commissioner for Central Wolverhampton and was county camp adviser for Staffordshire Guides. She still held the position of secretary of the Trefoil Guild for Wolverhampton South.
Just over a year ago she was presented with a West Mercia County Award in recognition of her service.
On her 90th birthday, featured in the Express & Star, she reminisced about taking guides camping to Cannock Chase, Pattingham, Patshull, Hereford and Wales, always on the back of a coal lorry.
Her friend Margaret Dilland, of Belvedere Avenue, Penn, said today: “Sally was a truly remarkable lady. Her mind was very active right up until the last six months.”
Her funeral will take place at 2.30pm on Monday at Bushbury Crematorium.
One Comment
Dedication such as that displayed by Mrs. Watkis is a rare and wonderful quality. Deepest condolences to her family and friends.