SINGER Sally Startin died suddenly at home on January 22 aged 63.

Mrs Startin was born in Germany on February 27, 1952 as her father was serving in the army at the time.

When she was four, the family moved to Neston where Mrs Startin attended the village school before going to Corsham Girls School.

Mrs Startin grew up with three sisters and two brothers and after leaving school, she worked at the Wiltshire Times in the advertising department when she was around 17 years old.

It was on a visit to the Pear Tree Inn at Whitley that she met her husband John and, after a blossoming romance, the pair got married in 1971.

As Mr Startin lived in Melksham at the time, the couple bought a house in the town which is where they stayed throughout Mrs Startin’s life.

Mrs Startin, nee Orr, then moved to work at GEC Mechanical Handling which was sited where Leekes stands today.

A year later, the couple started their family and Naomi and Stuart were born.

In addition to her family, Mrs Startin’s other love in life was singing and throughout her life, she was in bands and choirs including the Silver Ring Choir of Bath where she was top soprano.

She later joined the County Band and was also a member of the Gypsies – a band which was started when her son Stuart was just six weeks old.

In her later years, Mrs Startin was known in Melksham for raising money for charities by producing CDs.

She created her first CD in 2004 with the donations given to Bristol Children’s Hospital.

She also produced a number of CDs for Help for Heroes due to her father’s links with the army.

With the genre of music changing, Mrs Startin decided she would take a break from singing for 15 years and it was only in the last few years that she got back to do what she loved and was known to draw in a crowd at open mic nights in Devizes.

Also in the last year, Mr and Mrs Startin enjoyed a number of holidays together including America, Turkey and Tenerife.

Mrs Startin leaves husband John, children Naomi and Stuart and grandchildren Joshua, Cameron, Elizabeth, Amber and Adam.

Her funeral was on Thursday, February 4.

Donations in Mrs Startin’s memory should be made to the Royal United Hospital’s Forever Friends Appeal or Help for Heroes.