MUSIC and singing were Dot's first love. She adored singing and her voice was beautiful.
 There can be no doubt that had Dorothy been born in modern times, her incredible talent, coupled by her beauty, would have seen her become a star.
 When you watch some of the mediocre claptrap produced on so-called reality TV talent shows, supposedly showcasing the cream of British talent, you can only believe that Dorothy would steal the show if she performed today.
 Patricia Parker, her eldest niece, remembers: "She used to take me to little talent shows when I was little and bribed me to sing for an ice cream cone. She taught me how to pitch my voice. She was a wonderful singer."
 Daphne, Pat's sister, added: "My only memory of Dolly was when I was very young and she sang to us."
 A home-recorded 78 vinyl record has survived from 1955 of Dot singing two songs - One Night of Love and One Alone. These two beautiful songs must have been dear to her heart from the late 1920s, early 1930s.
 Even though the record is so old and not in the greatest condition, her full soprano voice makes your hairs stand up. Her voice is perfect, and hits all the right notes.
 At the time, Dot was 40 and clearly had not lost her talent despite having to abandon her dream of making a career on the stage.
 A career she ended up sacrificing because of the Second World War and becoming a mother to three children.
 She was on the boards in theatres and music halls in the 1930s, and possibly during the war, and still performed at local venues right up to the 1960s.
 Her love of music never died. And she even suggested that her second youngest grandchild Wayne would end up on the stage. She was right ... as Wayne did perform in shows at The London Palladium and other West End venues.