Sybil Amor

Generations of children were taught by Mrs Amor during more than 20 years at St Nicholas School, Bromham.

Mrs Amor also belonged to many organisations. She is known to many people in Devizes and Wiltshire and is remembered for her outgoing and fun nature.

She was diagnosed with bowel cancer at the beginning of December and she died at her home on Sunday with her husband and daughter by her side.

Mrs Amor was born in Birmingham and moved to Bromham with her parents and sister to live on her mother’s family farm at the outbreak of the Second World War.

She attended Bromham School followed by Devizes Grammar School.

She went on to Weymouth teacher training college and qualified as an infant teacher.

She taught in several village schools around Wiltshire and married Peter Amor, also from Bromham, in the village in 1952.

Following the birth of their son, Stephen, Mrs Amor returned to teaching in village schools until their daughter, Becky, was born.

After this she took a part-time post in the infants class at St Nicholas School, Bromham.

In 1962 she got her dream job of infant teacher at the school and stayed until she retired in 1985.

She and her family lived in Mintys Top, Bromham, and she directed several plays in the village, starting a group which eventually became Bromham Troupers.

She was an active member of Bromham WI and became its president.

In 1963 the family wanted to own their own house and moved to Casterbridge in Potterne Road, Devizes, and the parties given became well known around the area.

During her retirement she was the first volunteer when Arts Together was set up in Devizes and stayed for ten years.

She was an active member of St Mary’s Church, Devizes, and was secretary of the PCC.

She was also secretary of Wiltshire Ladies Club for nine years, chairman for two years and remained on the committee until her recent illness.

She gave talks to organisations all over Wiltshire on subjects ranging from tombstones and epitaphs to poetry and Wiltshire gossip. The talks were light-hearted and very popular and she was often asked back.

She was a founder member of Devizes Writers Group and contributed to the annual compilations produced. She and her husband were members of the Wharf Theatre and acted.

Mrs Amor described herself as “a woman of fashion in her eighties” and was always known for her stylish dress (usually red) and her love of shoes (nearly always red).

She is survived by her husband and children.

The funeral service will be a private family one but a memorial service at St John’s Church, Devizes, is to be arranged.