THE golden days of Exeter Operatic Society have been recalled with the death of Mary Alderton.

She is the only person in the society's history to have enterd their 99th year.

Mary, who would have been 100 in May, joined the Exeter Amateur Operatic Society immediately after the Second World War, in 1946.

The production that year was Merrie England. Mary was one of the Ladies in Waiting, and her husband, Austin — known to all as Bunny — took the part of a butcher.

At that time, the operatic society presented its shows at Exeter's Theatre Royal, which then stood in the city centre. That building was the society's home until it closed in 1962, and in all but three of those years, Mary took either a lead part, or appeared in the chorus at The Royal.

In 1954 she was asked to serve on the society's committee, and did so until 1957. She returned to the committee in 1964, and when Bunny became publicity officer in 1967, Mary assisted him in that role, as well as serving as a general committee member.

Bunny was publicity officer for 13 years, when the society attracted audiences of around 12,000 during its annual productions.

In 1972 Mary was appointed society secretary, a position she held for the next eight years. She was the first woman to be appointed as secretary.

Until recent years, it was commonplace for members to be with the society for as long as they were capable of performing on stage, after which they were happy to be just "members", or perhaps serve in some other capacity front of house.

Officers of the society frequently served in their respective positions for many years.

The society's Mike Passmore said: "There is, it has to be said, less loyalty to the society than in the golden years of the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s. Mary and Bunny were totally loyal.

"Mary was on stage with the society for something in the region of 25 years in addition to serving as a committee member and secretary.

"As far as is known, there are only two others living who can equal her time as an on-stage member."

Mary can claim the distinction of having trod the boards at The Theatre Royal, St Georges Hall, and the ABC Cinema (formerly The Savoy Cinema).

Although she did not have a part in the 1973 production of Pink Champagne, the society's first show at Exeter Northcott, she did act as prompt for the week, and was therefore part of the team.

Apart from one annual production at The Barnfield Theatre in 2007, when the Northcott was closed, Mary appeared at all the locations used by the society.

She was elected as president of the society in 1988 and 1989, and had the honour of being the first woman to have been elected president.

As a tribute to her hard work and dedication, the society made Mary a life member in 1982.

Theatre historian Dick Passmore said: "On behalf of the operatic society I would like to offer Mary's family our deepest sympathy."