NEWS

By Tim Healy Posted: October 07, 2016, Leicester Mercury

Engelbert Humperdinck has paid a touching tribute to his eldest sister Olga, who has died.

Olga Keane was the eldest sibling of 10 children born to Engelbert\'s parents Olive and Mervyn and helped him on the first rungs of his music career in Leicester.

She taught him harmony and bought him his first saxophone.

Olga Frances Keane, nee Dorsey, died in a West Sussex nursing home on September 14, aged 96.

Engelbert, who still has a home in Great Glen, has paid a touching tribute to her on Facebook but work commitents in Canada prevent him from attending the funeral which will be held in Loughborough on Wednesday.

He posted: \"For 80 of her 96 years, I was her little brother

\"She taught me harmony, bought me my first sax and was always first backstage and incredibly proud of her family tree and it\'s many branches.

\"She was a daughter, a wife, a mother, a sister, a grandmother, great grandmother, an amazing aunty and a second mummy to many.\"

He added: \"Our family is heartbroken to lose her but so very grateful for all the many years we had her in our lives . 

\"Don\'t look so sad... I know it\'s over.

\"But life goes on and this old world will keep on turning. 

\"Let\'s just be glad we had this time to spend together....

\"Please say a prayer and raise a glass for the good times.

\"Love you forever Olga.\"

The service will be held at St Mary\'s Roman Catholic Church in Ashby Road at 11am followed by cremation.

Engelbert\'s daughter Louise Dorsey, who lives in Nashville Tennessee, said: \"She helped her father answer the bags full of fan mail. She was so much to so many.

\"Sadly, all the memories she helped to create were lost to dementia, save the sound of certain voices over the phone or songs.

\"She passed peacefully wearing a blanket her mother had knitted, surrounded by family, songs and holding an Engelbert \"engelbear\".\"

She added: \"Unfortunately dad will be in Canada and will not be able to attend the funeral.

\"I hope to attend and there will be a large gathering at the service.

\"She was the matriarch of the family and very much my Grandpa Dorsey\'s right hand.

\"I used to tour with dad and Olga used to attend and we shared the same room. She was like a big sister to me too.\"

Mrs Keane was the wife of the late Captain Barney St John Keane. They had two daughters Veronica and Jennifer. Mrs Keane was a grandmother and great grandmother.

Tributes have been paid by her other siblings Patricia, Colin, Jacqueline and Charlie.

Family flowers only. Donations can be made payable to Dementia UK c/o Co-operative Funeralcare, 36 East Street, Horsham, West Sussex RH12 1HL on 01403 750227.

Read more at http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/engelbert-humperdinck-pays-tribute-to-the-woman-who-helped-him-start-his-music-career/story-29787911-detail/story.html#McMEgitcBedXYrOl.99