Memories of dedicated member of Newark Operatic Society nothing but joyful

A member of the Newark Amateur Operatic Society, Betty Dawes, has died unexpectedly aged 86.

Betty was society treasurer for several years and later received honorary life membership.

Betty, who lived off Albert Street, Newark, started helping out with society shows when her late husband Malcolm Dawes became a member. It was then that she met dear friend Rita Crowe.

“We met Betty when she came into the castle with the children,” Rita said.

“She was incredibly supportive. She not only performed in the shows with Malcolm and the children, but she also helped backstage and on front of house. Any job that needed doing she’d be there.”

Betty was born in Heanor, Derbyshire, in 1935. She met Malcolm at a dance in Somercotes and the pair got married in 1957. They were together until his death in 2001.

Betty and Malcolm had three children, Adrian, Nigel and Georgina, who died in May this year.

Alongside her commitments to the operatic society, Betty was treasurer for Newark Town Bowls Club and regularly played alongside Malcolm and Georgina.

She also worked part-time at Marks and Spencer before opening a card and gift shop in The Arcade called With Love. She soon outgrew those premises and moved to a new shop on the corner of Barnbygate, which she ran until she retired.

Rita remembers regularly playing cards with Betty in their spare time.

Rita said: “She was a fun-loving lady, just a wonderful lady to know.

“She was a great source of help to me.

“All the memories we have had certainly made me smile.”

Betty leaves behind sons Adrian and Nigel, their wives Kim and Beverley, son-in-law Kenneth, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Her funeral will be held at Newark Parish Church this Friday (October 1) at 2:15pm.

The service will be followed by a private cremation.