SYLVIA DREW DIED IN MARCH BUT FEW ALLOWED AT FUNERAL

A CELEBRATION of the life of a beloved Plymouth teacher and charity volunteer who died in March will be held today as Covid-19 restrictions stopped people from paying their respects at her funeral.

- ANDY PHILLIPS

Sylvia Drew died in her sleep at the age of 73 after a battle with cancer.

A celebration of her life which doubles up as a fundraising event is being staged today, on what would have been her 74th birthday.

It is appropriate that the event is in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support not only due to Sylvia's diagnosis but as she was a volunteer at fundraising events for the charity.

The event will take place from 10am to 3pm at Plympton Academy on Moorland Road. It has been organised by Muriel Blackledge, who wanted to give Sylvia's friends and colleagues a chance to celebrate her life.

A well-loved teacher at Morice Town Primary School for 35 years, Sylvia then began volunteering in her retirement, initially supporting adults with mental health problems at the Crossroads Centre within Morice Baptist Church, and completed 11 years with Saltram as a room steward.

But she was hit with a cancer diagnosis and an operation was followed by weeks of treatment.