Tribute to Ann Burston

After many months in pain, Ann Burston died at 8.00pm on Monday, November 7th 2005. She fought for her life to the end, just as she lived her life to the full. Ann was a remarkable lady, who worked tirelessly for her family and as a volunteer in so many different organisations.

Rolleston W.I. was her great love and even in the last precious weeks of her life, she was making craft items to sell at the Christmas Fair. She has been President, Secretary and Treasurer during her association of over 30 years with W.I. in Rolleston and worked very hard as a Voluntary County Organiser for Staffordshire Federation of Women’s Institutes. As a V.C.O. she travelled the length and breadth of Staffordshire giving talks, her most famous being W.I. in a box, as well as helping institutes with problems. She was responsible for forming new institutes, with Doveside W.I., the morning W.I. in Rolleston, being very dear to her heart.

Ann realised after the very popular Millennium Celebrations in Rolleston that there was a need to keep village organisations working together. 

She agreed to be Chairman of R.O.D.S.E.C. ~ the Rolleston–on–Dove Special Events Committee. With members from all the village organisations she worked to raise money with evenings of entertainment at the Scouts H.Q. and the Rolleston Club. Her excellent organisational skills helped to put on exhibitions celebrating the Millennium, the Queen’s Jubilee and V.E. Day. She was the instigator of the revival of the ‘Mummers’ play and Rolleston Well Dressing.

As a young woman, Ann worked as an infant teacher and in later life she was an administrator in a home for the elderly. Her family was her priority and she was a fine mother and grandmother. She loved entertaining and cooking. For many years Ann made delicious sponge cakes for the W.I. Market stall in Burton. Her love of embroidery, knitting, crotchet and bobbin lace meant that she always had a project on the go! Ann loved her garden to work in and to sit in.

Ann Burston was a tower of strength for all who came into contact with her. She will be missed by her husband Arnold, her family and by all of her many friends. 

Her personally designed and executed cross stitch Christmas tree decorations for the R.O.D.S.E.C. tree at the St. Mary’s Church Festival, later in November, will be a fitting memorial to Ann and a tribute to her contribution to Rolleston village life.

(Tribute written by Verity Conner)

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Last updated: 19 March 2006