A fundraiser who netted £150,000 for charity and was named Sidmouth’s Citizen of the Year was this week remembered as ‘always bright, cheerful and interested’.

Sidmouth Herald: Monica Macadam during her time as a WREN during World War TwoMonica Macadam during her time as a WREN during World War Two (Image: Archant)

Monica Macadam, whose funeral was held yesterday, moved to the town with her family from London at the beginning of World War Two.

She served as a Wren before returning to civilian life working at Boots, when there was a library in most stores.

When the county council took on the service in the 1960s, Monica became a staff trainer, working across Devon and Cornwall.

It was when she retired that she returned to Sidmouth and, keen to stay active, she got involved with the town’s fundraising committee for cancer charity Macmillan.

She was recruited in 1983 by then-chairman Ruth Brown – another Citizen of the Year – and soon took the top role herself.

“Monica wasn’t going to sit back when she retired,” said her younger sister, Gabrielle, who lived with her in Griggs Lane in Fortescue.

“She was a very gregarious person and she loved life.

“She was shattered [to be named Citizen of the Year in 2003] – she never found out who voted for her.”

When Monica was recognised for 30 years’ service, Macmillan said she was ‘probably one of the most outstanding chairmen’ the charity has ever had.

She filled the top role for 12 years, during which time the fundraising group netted more than £150,000 and she earned herself an invitation to a Buckingham Palace garden party.

Monica was an active member of the Church of the Most Precious Blood and of the East Devon Strollers. She was a keen walker until she was well into her 80s. She died on February 12 at the age of 92 after suffering a stroke. Gabrielle thanked Ottery St Mary Hospital for looking after her sister so well - and the scores of well-wishers who have sent their condolences.