A MUCH respected scenery and make-up artist passed away peacefully at Poole hospital on July 14 at the age of 93.

For decades Sylvia Fowle created imaginative scenery under the name Sylvia Rogers-Fowle, working for companies in Bournemouth, Poole, Christchurch, Wimborne and Ringwood.

Her father taught elocution and became a producer, his pageants paving the way for Sylvia’s passion for the stage.

But her acting ambitions were scuppered by a hearing problem following a wartime bout of pneumonia.

At 16 Sylia was apprenticed to a professional make-up artist. She married Geoff and her skills flourished at the Civic Theatre in Bradford.

Sylvia was particularly busy during the carnival season when she was in great demand to work on float creations.

Theatre groups are among those mourning Sylvia’s passing.

Diana Pearce, who worked with Sylvia on many productions, said: “She was a very talented lady; her scenery was out of this world. Sylvia will be much missed.”

Paying tribute to “our dear friend and long serving vice president,” Wimborne Musical Theatre chairman Sylvia Walpole said: “Sylvia had been with the society for many years organising our make-up department and in the earlier years painting scenery for us in some very cold and damp conditions.

“Due to ill health Sylvia decided to retire from theatre life last year and to mark the occasion we installed a commemorative plaque in the auditorium at the Tivoli Theatre to express our thanks for her long service.

“What a wonderful lady, she will be sorely missed by us and all the other local musical and dramatic societies she has been associated with over the years.

“We send our condolences and sincere wishes to Geoffrey on his sad loss.”

Sylvia’s funeral service was held at Poole Crematorium on July 26.