Special service to be organised for Sidmouth resident Alma

The Friends of Alma Rose group are in the process of organising a service for residents who could not attend her funeral.

Friends of a Sidmouth teacher who ‘touched many lives’ are joining forces to organise a special service in her honour.

A group set up in memory of Manor Road resident Alma Rose is inviting residents who could not attend the 100-year-old’s funeral to pay their respects later this year.

Alma died in May and was buried in Epping.

Her friend, Jacky Storey, is helping to organise a Devon-based service for those who could not attend.

As a young girl, Alma was not a fan of school, but eventually embarked on a career in teaching that took her across the world, including India.

Jacky said: “Never marrying or having children of her own, Alma wanted to create an innovative learning environment, where each child could be happy and fulfilled, while also acquiring the basic skills needed in life.”

While in India, Alma met a young Queen Elizabeth II while working on a new school to educate 150 children.

She returned to England and upon retiring from teaching she retrained as therapist - moving to Sidford and then Sidmouth.

Jacky said: “Through her counselling and generous charity donations, she touched many lives.”

Residents who knew Alma can contact Jacky on jackystorey@hotmail.com to be added to the mailing list about the upcoming service. A date for the service is yet to be confirmed.