A visually impaired woman who dedicated much of her life to helping others is being lovingly remembered by her family.

Valerie Mitchell passed away aged 72 at the Joseph Weld Hospice in Dorchester on June 6. She was suffering from pancreatic cancer.

Valerie came to Portland as a Navy wife having grown up in Hampshire, attending Portsmouth Grammar School.

Although she was registered blind, Valerie spent much of her life working as a volunteer, her daughter Melody Mitchell said.

“She was kind, compassionate and brave,” Melody said.

“When mum moved to Portland as a Navy wife she ran the Grove Saddle club and helped turn it into a successful riding school.

“She volunteered as a cook and a carer for the elderly at Brackenbury house.

“She formed an activities club for the blind called Inner Vision.”

Valerie joined the WI and also became a morris dancer.

Melody said: “Mum formed a singing choir called Avalon which is still going now.

“She taught children and adults how to ride and care for horses. She also became a samaritan and helped out Street pastors by making them food through the night.

“She was also a volunteer for disabled carriage driving in Wareham.”

Valerie had a real ear for music, Melody said.

“She played various musical instruments, went busking and taught others how to play music by ear.”

Up until her illness took hold three months ago Valerie was still playing music and singing her heart out.

She was a keen churchgoer who attended Bridport Unitarian Chapel in the Garden, St Mary’s Church, Weymouth, St John’s Church on Portland and All Saints in Wyke Regis.

Despite being registered blind, Valerie was the kind of person who made the most of life and didn’t let her disability hold her back, Melody said.

“Mum was diagnosed with cancer only three months ago and shortly before Covid-19 made an appearance.

“She knew there would be no treatment and when lockdown started it made our lives 100 times harder.

“But she was incredibly brave and accepted what was happening with courage and dignity and apart from pain, and never complained all the way to the end.

“I couldn’t be prouder of her.”