THE godmother of 1980s pop star Toyah has died at her Pershore home.

Centenarian Gee Nelmes died last Thursday at her home in Ganderton Court, with her husband Alec at her side. She was 103.

Born at Cricklewood, London, her father was a premier champagne importer and among his clientele were celebrities and socialites of the day.

Her first job, aged 16, was to recite poetry at Sunday afternoon concerts at the Albert Hall for soldiers during the First World War.

This led to her participation in many other London shows, including a production at the Comedy Theatre, and another at the London Palladium. She was in most of the Charlotte Reviews of the 1920s.

She met her husband Alec in 1938 and they were married in 1941. Over the years, they shared a number of businesses, the most recent being Beautiful Clothes in Pershore.

Most of her life was spent helping others. In the early 1960s she was one of Worcestershire's first Samaritans. She and her husband attended the inauguration of Swimming for the Disabled (Paddlers) in August, 1980. Every Monday evening until her late 90s she provided homemade cakes and biscuits for the swimmers.

In July, 1981, Mrs Nelmes heard of new tapes for the blind and after contacting 25 blind people in Pershore they started to raise £3,000 with knitting, sewing and raffles for the equipment, and Pershore Talking Newspaper was started.

Over the years, the total grew to well over 100 tapes. She copied the tapes every other Wednesday in time for Alec to catch the 5pm post. She was also secretary to the organisation until her retirement in 1995.

Her 100th birthday was celebrated with a party at Wychavon District Council Civic Centre with the chairman of Wychavon District Council, the Mayor and Mayoress of Pershore, and dozens of friends, including her famous god-daughter.

Her funeral service and interment was due to take place at St Ann's Church, Wyre Piddle, today at 1pm.