FOND memories have been shared of Okehampton’s long-standing lollipop lady – known to one young fan as ‘Lady Pop’ – who has died aged 73.

Sandra Kelleher, known and loved by successive cohorts of children and their parents, died on Monday, October 15. Her funeral took place yesterday (Thursday) in Exeter.

Leaving husband Timmy, three children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, she had suffered from ill health in recent years. She lived in Moyses Meadow, where she was much-loved by her neighbours.

Her granddaughter Sophie Patrick said she had seen her grandmother on the Wednesday before she died, when she had been in good spirits. ‘She was asking me when I was next going to the beach, as she wanted to come along,’ said Sophie.

Sandra was the lollipop lady at Okehampton Primary School for more than 20 years, even going to a ceremony at County Hall in Exeter to collect her long-service award.

Each Christmas, she received armfuls of presents from the children and was so attached to her job that friends recall she was quite depressed for some time when ill health eventually forced her to retire.

One young fan Mellissa Rice, now grown up, recalled how she used to buy her white chocolate mice – and give Sandra two each morning. ‘She was the sweetest lady, definitely a legend of Okehampton,’ she said.

Chrissie Read, chair of Okehampton Primary PTFA, said: ‘She was a lovely lady, so welcoming to the children each morning and afternoon. We all knew her as the lollipop lady and she was always there in all winds and weathers. She always had time to speak to you and say hello.’

Okehampton PC Nathan Walker said his then five-year-old son christened Sandra ‘Lady Pop’.

‘I remember our daily morning ‘hello’ as Lady Pop dutifully assisted us with crossing the road,’ he recalled.

‘My son later went on to name a pet chicken Lady Pop and took great pride in giving the real Lady Pop a photo of the chicken which I believe she displayed in her living room.

‘I am certain I am not alone in thinking that Lady Pop made my day better every time I saw her, come rain or shine. It’s interesting how a morning greeting or a five minute chat with someone can make all the difference to a person. Lady Pop will always have a very special place in my memories of Okehampton.’

Granddaughter Sophie, now 25, went to Okehampton Primary, and remembers her grandmother as the lollipop lady all the time she was there. Sandra would do morning and afternoon shifts as a lollipop lady and had another job as a dinner lady at Okehampton College in between.

‘She would leave her lollipop somewhere in the town so she didn’t have to carry it home between her shifts,’ said Sophie. ‘She really loved being a lollipop lady. She used to get so many boxes of chocolates and presents every Christmas from the kids. She always had a smile on her face when she was helping them across the road.’

Sandra and husband Timmy moved to Okehampton from London with their three children in the 1980s, seeking a quieter life. Sandra’s life in London pre-marriage had included a spell in a mysterious job, her sister Audrey recalled, that involved signing the Official Secrets Act. All her family ever knew was that it involved sleeping underground and being spot checked on the way out.

Sophie said her grandmother never told her anything about her secret past!

In Okehampton, Sophie recalled, her grandmother was known for being chatty with everyone and helping anyone in need. ‘She could talk for hours and hours and she loved her bingo,’ she said. ‘Her neighbours absolutely adored her.’

She was also devoted to her grandchildren and great grandchildren, including Sophie’s children Emily and Charlie. ‘She loved our kids,’ she said.

Sandra’s funeral was held yesterday (November 1) at Exeter Crematorium. ‘Instead of flowers, we are asking for donations to the Cats Protection because she absolutely adored her cats,' said Sophie.

‘She’d talk to them like babies. It is strange for me, walking into her house, knowing she is not going to be there.’