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Olga Wilmot
Olga started dancing almost as soon as she could walk, and was giving lessons in Suffolk church halls at the age of 14. She founded the Ipswich School of Dancing some 50 years ago and guided the school through a long unbeaten run in major competitions up and down the country. She suffered a stroke two years ago when she was 70 and this put and end to her teaching and dancing, though she remained Principal of the school until her death in Ipswich hospital on 11/1/2000.
Olga was the driving force behind numerous dance festivals, putting Ipswich on the dancing map and organising local dancers for the BBC's Come Dancing programmes.
The photograph shows Olga in 1982 with the prestigious Carl-Alan Award which she won in 1971.
Olga leaves behind her husband Roland Verrall, 70, and two sons, Roger and Steven. Steven has followed in his mothers dance steps and now travels the world adjudicating and lecturing. Steven also writes regularly in the Ballroom Dancing Times.
The funeral took place at Ipswich Crematorium on Thursday 27th January.
(This photograph and obituary is based on an article in the Evening Star.)
