Members from SI Southport joined family and friends to give a fond farewell to our Honorary Member, Diana Beldam, who passed away in September at the amazing age of 104.
The service, of words, music, hymns and prayers, included a lovely poem read by Diana’s great niece, India.
Diana was born on 31st January 1917 and, following a career as a beautician in various parts of the country, she moved to Southport.
SI Southport President, Carol Cookson, was privileged to give a tribute, extracts of which follow:
”Diana joined the Southport Soroptimist Club on the 1st April 1974 with the category of Beautician. She never took office but was very loyal in her support of the club as she attended all meetings and social events prior to the impact of Covid 19. She was never happier than when chatting to other members and welcoming new members to our club.
I will always remember her as a very elegant and sophisticated lady who loved classical music and riding in a Rolls Royce I believe!
I also know she loved to dance and sing when an opportunity presented itself. I remember one particular Christmas meal at the Scarisbrick Hotel when a few Soroptimists, including Diana now 90, dressed as fairies and entertained the audience with our version of Tessa O’Shea’s ‘Nobody loves a fairy when they’re forty’. I can still see Diana in her gorgeous fairy costume of tuile and net waving her wand vigorously and enjoying herself enormously.
I was privileged to be present at her 100th birthday party. It was a fabulous afternoon as the Mayor came and, of course, she received birthday greetings from the Queen.
She will be missed but as Maya Angelou wrote:-
‘I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did but people will never forget how you made them feel’ and Diana always made me feel very special!”
A wonderful graceful lady, she will be greatly missed.
