THE funeral took place yesterday of an “inspirational” volunteer who worked tirelessly to improve community life in Romsey.

Tributes have been pouring in for much-loved Angela Allwood, who died aged 58, after a battle with cancer.

Mourners gathered at Romsey Abbey yesterday (Thursday) morning to pay their respects to “a gentle person who loved humanity”.

Angela was a popular and well-known figure in the town volunteering at Romsey Abbey Primary School, helping husband, Robin, organise the carnival and raising funds for Marie Louise House nursing home.

But she was perhaps best known for her 30 years’ involvement with the 6th Romsey St Joseph Brownie Pack.

As a Brown Owl leader for much of that time, she touched the lives of hundreds of youngsters.

Sheila Caine, division commissioner for Girlguiding in Romsey, said: “Angela’s Brownies learned by her example to care for others and to lend a hand where it was needed. The pack always went that extra mile to help out with fetes or carol-singing or fund-raising for other organisations.

“Angela was a gentle person who loved humanity and showed this in so many practical ways. “She was completely modest and unassuming and could never grasp that there was anything special about her. “The Brownies and her fellow leaders will miss her dreadfully and are very grateful to have known her.”

Angela, who lived in Mill Lane, was also a familiar face at Romsey Abbey Primary School, where she volunteered for more than 20 years.

Head teacher, Jane Everard, said her help in the classroom would be sorely missed. She added: “Her dedication and inspiration is something we will always remember.

“Angela had such a lovely sense of humour and the children absolutely adored her because she always did such fun things with them.”

Her community work and volunteering was honoured both locally and nationally over the years.

She died just days before she was due to have been given a special medal from the Bishop of Portsmouth for her “outstanding service” to the diocese.

Last year, she received a prestigious town plaque in recognition of her work and she was also once invited to a garden party at Buckingham Palace.

In 2006, she was handed one of the top honours for Guiding in Hampshire when she picked up the County Good Service Award.

Her work also included visiting residents at Marie Louise House and raising funds for the Romsey-based care home at garden fetes.

Diana Zielinska, from the home, said: “Anything she could do for us, she would do, so we thought very highly of her indeed.”

Angela leaves her husband Robin, and three children Rachel, Tom and Paul.