A popular former employee of the St Albans Review who worked at the paper when it was launched in 1973 has died.

Betty Dobbie passed away on February 23 at the age of 87. She is survived by her sons, Colin and John, four grandsons and two great grandchildren.

Ms Dobbie was in charge of the accounts department and one of the original ten people behind the birth of St Albans’ first and favourite free newspaper on October 4, 1973.

She also had spells at the Danish Bacon Company and the Herts Advertiser, and worked part-time with other ex-Review staff at William Lawrence Advertising in Clifton Street up until she was 82.

Her WL Advertising team, including Roy Scott who had known Ms Dobbie for 55 years, shared their memories of the ‘fun and hard working’ great grandmother this week.

They said: “We’ve got so many happy memories of working with Betty over the years. Founding and publishing a new weekly newspaper in the early 1970s was hard work.

“As well as running the accounts department, Betty was drafted into the circulation department every Thursday and liaised with the drivers, agents and delivery boys to ensure a smooth distribution of the newspaper.

“Before we expanded and opened a reception office, visitors climbed the stairs to a small office that housed all of our departments.

“Because Betty’s desk was behind the front door she also became the Review receptionist, greeting an ever increasing number of people.

“Our office parties could be wild affairs which Betty enjoyed to the full. In recent years, she always spoke with fondness about the many happy years we all spent together, working hard and having fun.”

Ms Dobbie’s funeral will be held at Garston Crematorium in High Elms Lane at 1.20pm on Wednesday, March 18.