England International Pam Mortimer has died peacefully at the age of 83.

Aged 15, she won the Midland Junior table-tennis title in her first major competitive match, and within four years she was one of Britain’s top players, and a household name along with Jonny Leach, Diane Rowe and her doubles partner Ann Haydon, who later became famous in tennis as Ann Jones.
During her playing career in addition to numerous County competitions, she played in the World Championships three times (1954, 1955, 1959, the team finishing fourth in 1959.

In the Women’s Singles, she reached the round of 16 in 1954; in the Women’s Doubles the same stage in 1955; and in the Mixed Doubles the round of 32 in both 1955 and 1959.

Her England debut was against Wales at Bolton on November 26th, 1954 winning her one Singles and Women’s Doubles matches in a 7-2 victory. She also played against France and Hungary.

In the English Open, she appeared every year from 1952 to 1963, winning the Women’s Doubles with Ann Haydon in 1958. She reached numerous doubles semi-finals and the quarter-finals of the Women’s Singles in 1955 and 1962.

At the National Championships, she was a Women’s Singles semi-finalist in 1963; Women’s Doubles semi-finalist in 1962 (with Mary Shannon) and 1963 (with J Williamson); and Mixed Doubles semi-finalist in 1960 (with Bobby Stevens).

She was J M Rose Bowl champion with Birmingham League in 1953, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958 and 1959.

Pam was married to Alan Lake, the Evening Dispatch Table Tennis Correspondent.

A celebration of her life will be held at Torquay Crematorium at 2pm on Thursday June 9th. Colourful clothing to be worn, no black. Donations in lieu of flowers can be made in her memory to Rowcroft Hospice, Torquay.

The service will be followed by a Farewell Gathering of friends and family at the Morningside Hotel at the seafront of Babbacombe Downs Road, Babbacombe,Torquay, TQ1 3LF.

For more information please contact Valda Lake on 01803 297017 or email [email protected]