Hazel Meatyard, a big name in the Isle of Wight's amateur dramatic community, has died at the age of 95.

Mrs Meatyard was wardrobe mistress at Sandown Pavilion Theatre, director at Sandown Operatic and Dramatic Society, and costumed and directed shows for both Brading Haven Yacht Club and Bembridge Little Theatre Club.

Born in 1925 in Essex, she claimed to be a true 'Essex girl' as she wore white stilettos when they were fashionable the first time round.

She studied fashion illustration, worked during the war as an orphaned babies nurse at Dr Barnardo's in London, and went on to work for her father in the City.

Holidaying with her parents on the Isle of Wight she met and married an Island man and moved to the Island.

She raised her two sons, Peter and Martin, on a houseboat in Bembridge Harbour.

She took various parts in local pantomimes and joined Sandown Operatic and Dramatic Society.

She divorced, and married Bill Meatyard, with whom she shared a long partnership of 51 years, sharing a passion for theatre.

Her daughter Sam and granddaughter Jane followed in her footsteps.

Mr and Mrs Meatyard bought and restored Alverstone Mill, where Mrs Meatyard ran a tea gardens and boating on the River Yar.

They then moved to Wroxall and ran a small B&B.

Following a move to Niton, Mrs Meatyard became the wardrobe mistress for the professional summer shows at Sandown Pavilion Theatre.

She enjoyed working with all the stars, including Jimmy Tarbuck, Norman Wisdom and Tommy Cooper.

At the same time, she was directing Sandown Operatic and Dramatic Society in various musicals such as My Fair Lady, The King and I, The Sound of Music and Camelot, also acting as society chairman for a while.

Subsequently in Bembridge she costumed and directed shows for Brading Haven Yacht Club, and wrote, costumed and directed shows for The Good Intents and Domino Productions.

She helped raise many thousands of pounds for Island charities in the process and encouraged several youngsters to pursue their stage career.

She also directed plays for Bembridge Little Theatre Club.

Some of her productions won awards in the Isle of Wight County Press Theatre Awards, and in 2007 she was recognised for services to the Island amateur stage.

In her last few years, she had vascular dementia, but still enjoyed car trips, and visits to tea rooms.

She leaves her husband, three children and three grandchildren.