THE FUNERAL of a woman who set up a retirement home to help people remain independent in Romsey will be held today (Friday June 17).

Friends and family of Beryl Chandler will be gathering at the Romsey church where she was a key member of the community for the past 30 years.

Beryl was 91 when she died at her home in Durban House Nursing Home on Woodley Lane last month after suffering from a chest infection and heart problems.

Although born in north London, she moved into a house in Station Road in the 1984 to be close to her frail mother Connie, and her two sisters.

Eight years later, with her friend Joy Skinner and other volunteers, she helped to raise the £100,000 needed and additional funding to set up the Abbeyfield House in Mill Lane, helping elderly people live independently.

The doors to the home opened in 1993 and she would continue to serving the community.

In 2010 she received 25-year long-service award by the National Abbeyfield Society.

A former teacher who was awarded an MBE for her services to a community in the Midlands, she taught English to new residents coming into Romsey.

Beryl is survived by her youngest sister Greta and brother Derek following the death of her sister Margaret – a former Romsey school teacher – five years ago.

Greta, 85, said: “She did a lot of work for the URC and helped many people in Romsey. She taught those whose first language was not English.

“She helped with many young people in Southampton and in fact seldom had any spare time. She was a people person who loved inviting people into her home.

“She was a very determined, kind and considerate lady who leaves behind her many friends who will miss her very much.”

Her family said she will be “very much missed by all who knew her”.

Her nephew Chris Chandler said: “Beryl loved and never missed an opportunity to get to know people. She made and kept countless friends wherever she went.

“One of her greatest sorrows was when she lost the power to walk unaided and could not visit friends.

“Above all Beryl will be remembered for her sense of humour, chuckle, charisma and voracious appetite to discuss any subject, immediately engaging everyone she met.”

A service will be held at the Romsey United Reformed Church at 2.30pm with refreshments in the church hall afterwards. All welcome.

Mourners are asked not to wear black and the family have asked for donations to Romsey Good Neighbours and Southampton Hospital Charity.

For further details contact AH Cheaters Funeral Directors on 01794 513393.