The family of a woman who provided them with "unconditional love", while also giving so much to the community of Helston, has paid tribute to her following her funeral. 

Ada Sarah Veronica Blaber, but known to all as 'Sally', passed away on August 14, 2023, at the age of 87, and her funeral has now taken place. 

The former Parc Eglos and Helston Comprehensive School secretary was a mother of three, grandmother of five, step-grandmother to five and a great-grandmother to nine. 

She was also secretary of Meneage Arts Players for many years, an Honorary Lifetime Member of Helston Theatre Company, steward at the Central Methodist Church in Helston, and secretary of its Drama Group and the Church Property Committee, as well as on the Churches Together Committee.

When her husband Derek died unexpectedly of cancer in June 2006, after 47 years of marriage, Sally was devestated, but determined to focus on her life in front of her. She joined the Mary & Martha Group - for which she later became treasurer - along with the WI and the Mullion Handbell Ringers.

Sally's life started in Lincoln in 1936, where she was born to a single mother. In January 1937 she was adopted and moved to Brighton to live with Vincent and Marie Noble, where she was christened Ada - although it was her teenage nickname of Sally that stuck. 

Falmouth Packet: Sally Blaber Sally Blaber (Image: Paul Blaber)

When Sally left school, she attended Box’s Commercial College in Brighton for a year to learn shorthand, typing and elementary bookkeeping.

In the mid-1950s, Sally met her future husband Derek during the ‘coffee bar’ era, where young people would meet and socialise, listen to music, and drink coffee.

The couple married on September 6, 1956, and honeymooned in Newquay before settling down in Hove, Sussex where they welcomed their first son Paul in 1961, followed by Buster in 1963 and Mark in 1966.

The family moved to Cornwall in 1968 when Sally and Derek purchased Retanna Caravan Park in Edgcumbe. After a few years the business was sold, and the family moved to Germoe where Derek travelled around repairing caravans and Sally helped with his paperwork.

Falmouth Packet: A picture of Sally and Derek in the 1950s A picture of Sally and Derek in the 1950s (Image: Paul Blaber)In 1973, Sally started work at Parc Eglos Primary School as a secretary, staying for ten years before moving to work at Helston Comprehensive School, now known as Helston Community College.

Sally remained at the school until she retired in 2000, collecting a 25-year service medal in the process.

Ray Fishwick, one of her former headmasters, described her as "loyal, reliable, caring and professional, respected by all", with few people having her range of skills.

She was also appointed as an assistant district commissioner for Cubs for the Lizard area, having initially only offered to be a 'supportive parent' when her sons became cub scouts. However, it wasn't long before she became Akela (leader) of the Lions Cub Pack in Helston, and later was promoted to the area role. 

Sally and Derek went on to became grandparents to five children, five step-grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren, including four-month-old Nova, who was born in May this year. 

Paul Blaber, Sally and Derek’s eldest son told the Packet: "As mum was holding that tiny little girl, just four weeks ago, she must have been thinking that she would never see her grow up.

“Mum told me that she wasn’t afraid of dying but she didn’t want to miss out on everything that was happening; she hoped that she would be able to watch over the family from afar.”

Falmouth Packet: Sally was also a grandmother and a great-great grandmother Sally was also a grandmother and a great-great grandmother (Image: Paul Blaber)

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He added: “The Bible reading that she chose for her funeral was all about love, and mum was all about love; the love for her family who meant so very much to her, but also love for the wider community.

"She gave to many different charities and took a real interest in the welfare of other people; she was a great giver of cards for all occasions and hugs and kiss on meeting and parting were the norm.

"Things may have got her down, but mum was always cheery; what a wonderful gift that was."

Although Sally and Derek faced some struggles over the years, Paul, Buster and Mark were brought up surrounded by love. Paul said: “We were nurtured and despite the things that us three boys threw at them.

“Through it all mum and dad offered unconditional love, and, in that environment, we were able to grow as people.

“So here we are, three different men with three different personalities bounded together by the love of woman, our mum.

“She was the hub of our family, and it was her that held her family together.”