A FORMER Portland mayor who donned the chains in memory of her husband has died.

Nesta Grace Hunt passed away, aged 83, at her daughter Gisela Smith’s home in Easton.

The former teacher volunteered hours of her time to tutor others.

She was First Citizen of the island between 1994 and 1995 and became mayor because her late husband Desmond wished her to.

Her daughter Sandy Cave, 63, said: “Dad was mayor between 1990 and 1991 and said to her ‘Whatever you do, you have to do it for me’.

“Despite her sorrow when dad died, she carried out this office.”

Nesta was involved in many functions during her time as mayor, including D-Day commemorations, her daughter Gisela, 54, said.

She added: “I was her escort and went with mum to a lot of the functions.

“During one incident she was wearing a white dress and someone knocked a glass of red wine over her. She got into the toilet and had white wine chucked over her to remove it – and it worked.

Former Girl Guide leader Nesta had seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

She established the Portland Party with her husband, which was disbanded in 1994.

Born in Swindon, Nesta Harris, as she was then known, moved with her family to live in Wyke Regis when she was 11.

She went to Weymouth Grammar School with her husband-to-be.

After they married at All Saints Church in Easton, aged 18, Nesta travelled all over the world while Desmond was in the RAF.

Sandy said: “Mum was such a good service wife – she lived in rooms in people’s houses with no electricity and no sanitation, with good grace.”

Nesta and Desmond were keen ballroom dancers and would often pull back the carpet to have a dance together, Sandy said.

She added: “Mum was game for a laugh and was very funny.

“If she and dad were on holiday they’d get involved in fancy dress and the knobbly-knee competitions.”

Inspired by her teacher daughter Sandy, Nesta and Desmond entered teacher training college at the age of 40 and 38.

The pair taught in Jersey and Bedfordshire and then returned to Portland where they both sat on Portland Town Council.

Nesta helped many people on the island by teaching them unpaid to help them improve job prospects.

Her funeral service will take place at noon tomorrow at All Saints Church, Easton, followed by cremation.

Refreshments will be served at the Conserv-ative Club.

All are welcome to the funeral and donations will be taken for Dem-entia UK and the Open Arms Coffee Bar.

A 'nice, sweet lady'

ISLANDERS have paid tribute to Nesta.

Portland town councillor Margaret Leicester said: “I remember her as a nice sweet lady.

“Her daughters did look after her very well during her latter years and they gave her a good quality of life.

“She was still going to coffee mornings in Easton Methodist Church and she always kept close ties to the community, which kept her in touch with everyone.”

Yvonne Copus, of Tophill, said: “Nesta was a real lady. You don’t come across many ladies now. She had time for everybody.

“Like me she was very proud of wearing the mayoral chain.”