A WOMAN who was at the heart of the Bracknell community for 50 years has been described as “full of character” by her family.

Dot Bolitho, who had lived in Bullbrook for the past 40 years, died at her home aged 90 on January 26. Her family and social clubs remembered her life at her funeral at Easthampstead Crematorium last Wednesday.

Mrs Bolitho was a member of Bracknell Bowling & Social Club and the Flower Club, with the bowls club forming a guard of honour at her funeral and the flower club providing the flowers for the service.

After growing up in Aldershot, Mrs Bolitho and her family travelled to India for about six years as her father was part of the British army.

After returning to the UK the family moved to Hounslow, where Mrs Bolitho served in the RAF during the Second World War. After the war she worked at the British Overseas Airways Corporation in Hounslow, and shortly after met Norman Bolitho, whom she married in 1950.

The pair moved to Aylesbury where they had their first child, Julie in 1954. Shortly afterwards they moved to Warfield, where Dot became a housewife and had their second child Robert in 1958.

Over the next 50 years Mrs Bolitho joined several social clubs in and around Bracknell, including the Warfield Women’s Insititute (WI), where she served a period of time as president.

She was also heavily involved in the Bracknell branch of the British Red Cross, where she spent many years working in the medical tent at Royal Ascot week and providing an ambulance shuttle service to transport members to and from their homes to the Red Cross centre in Martins Lane.

Julie Furnell, Mrs Bolitho’s daughter, said: “She was a marvellous lady who really looked after her children. She was very active right up until she died and full of character.

“She was just such a lovely and genuine mother and she did so much for the community throughout her life.” Gordon Mackie, centre organiser for the Bracknell branch of the British Red Cross, said: “She was very, very good with people and was a first class person.

“She would strive to help people in day or night.

“We are very sorry she is gone and she is well appreciated by everyone associated with the British Red Cross.” Her family said she was involved with all the clubs right up until she died, with the Warfield WI in the process of planning a party to commemorate her 50 years at the club next month.

A collection was also made at the funeral, with all funds going to the Bracknell branch of the British Red Cross.

Mrs Bolitho leaves her daughter Mrs Furnell and son Robert Bolitho, and two grandchildren, Mrs Furnell’s sons Andrew and Simon.