FORMER dressmaker and life-long Christian, May Harris of Poole, has died at the age of 102.

Born at Ryde on the Isle of Wight, May arrived in Broadstone as a baby and was fostered at the age of two.

As a teenager, she became a dressmaker at the age of 15 and was a member of the Sea Rangers, which aims to boost the nautical skills and knowledge of young people.

She went on to join the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force during the Second World War where she did nursing, before she caught scarlet fever and was invalided out.

Afterwards she cared for three children and had lived in a succession of bedsits with 34 years of her life spent living in Creekmoor.

May was a life-long member of St. John's Heatherlands Parish Church at Parkstone and put her long life down to 'Loving the Lord – he’s my saviour.'

She enjoyed a party with a cake, balloon and all of her friends for her 100th birthday, which was in the month of May 2013, at the Salvation Army Home League base in New Orchard in Poole.

May, who by then was living in sheltered accommodation, said that she loved visiting the Salvation Army each week before adding: "I have got lovely friends."

The event was also attended by then-Mayor of Poole, Cllr Peter Adams, who described the centenarian as 'Remarkable' and said that it was fabulous for her to have reached the age of 100. He also praised the Salvation Army in caring for people and for providing the lonely with a Christmas lunch. Elizabeth Dear, secretary of the Home League, which provides arts and crafts, a lunch and fellowship afternoon, said that May was an 'amazing lady.'

May died at Belmont Court on August 15 and her funeral service will take place at St. John's Heatherlands Parish Church in Ashley Road on Friday, September 2, at 1pm followed by an interment at Branksome Cemetery. Donations will be going to the Church of the Good Shepherd Building Fund.