After more than 40 years of dedicated service, a highly respected church organist has died at the age of 86.

Velda Green was born in Colehill on May 23, 1926. She grew up with her brothers Grahame and Trevor in West Moors where their parents Hetty and Harry Kidd ran a shoe repair business and a Post Office.

Velda attended Ferndown Primary School and Parkstone Grammar School. She became a trainee pharmacist at Boots in Bournemouth and, after serving her apprenticeship, was employed as a pharmacist at R J Turner’s the Chemist in Ferndown.

Velda’s family were staunch members of the Congregational Church at West Moors where Velda sang in the choir, occasionally played the organ, was a Sunday School teacher and helped run the youth club.

It was here that she married her husband Fred in 1949. Velda and Fred had two children; Rex, who sadly only lived for a short time, and Julia. The couple shared many interests including cricket, singing in choirs together and church life. Their marital home was in West Parley where Velda lived for over 60 years. She was an active member of the Methodist Church in Kinson and an accomplished pianist.

Following Fred’s death in 1972, she became the full-time organist at the church; a role she fulfilled with devotion and total commitment until her death.

When widowed, Velda went to work as a laboratory technician at Oakmead School and, in the evenings, continued her pharmacy duties at J W Smith in Ferndown.

Velda lived up to her name and was extremely green-fingered; her garden was her pride and joy. A life-long dog lover, she shared her home with a number of canine companions. However, it is for her church organ playing that Velda will be remembered most. She played at all the Sunday services as well as at many baptisms, weddings and funerals, serving faithfully and loyally for four decades.

A multi-talented, gentle, unassuming woman with a ready smile, the much-loved mother and sister died peacefully on October 15 at the Wimborne Care Home.

Her funeral service was held at Kinson Methodist Church on October 30.

It is perhaps a fitting tribute to say that Velda has now achieved the status of Organist Emeritus – “retired” but retaining one’s title!