Tributes to helper who died aged 83

Relatives have paid tribute to a voluntary worker awarded the MBE, who ran a club for pensioners in Oldbury for 40 years, after she died just before her 83rd birthday.

Rosalind Steele died in hospital in Sheffield. She used to live in Pound Road, and had three children with husband Eric – Russell, Vincent and Alyson, and in 1961 founded the Golden Years Club, which met every Tuesday at Langley Hall Community Centre.

She received a variety of honours over the years for her voluntary work, including an MBE in 1994 for her work with charity Women's Royal Voluntary Service.

Members of the Golden Years Club held a surprise party for her in 2001 to mark its 40th anniversary. Mrs Steele was born in Blackburn, where her parents ran a pub. After leaving school she left to train as a nurse.She met husband Eric when she was 19 and the couple married on October 4 1947, celebrating their diamond wedding anniversary in Sheffield. During the early years of their marriage the couple travelled from Aylesbury to Plymouth with Eric's career as a civil engineer, finally settling in Oldbury.

Rosalind spent her time as a voluntary worker with the St John Ambulance becoming a serving sister followed by many years in the WRVS and Civil Defence helping with meals on wheels, prison visiting, a blood donation centre and hospital canteen work.

Daughter-in-law Anna Steele, said: "Eric took early retirement to support Rosalind and her ailing health as they continued with the Golden Years Club.

"Memories include once cooking the massive Christmas turkey and vegetables plus the famous Christmas pud for the club in their small kitchen." Following her death on January 2 her funeral was held on Tuesday in Sheffield.