Ivy Muschamp née Severs 1918-1982
Early life
Ivy was born on 29 June 1918 to Thomas William Severs and his wife Edith May Ann. The youngest of four children, she grew up with an older sister and two older brothers.
Ivy was educated first at Otley Road School and then at Salt Girls High School where she achieved the Joint Matriculation Board’s School Certificate, passing with credit in a number of subjects. Her final school report describes her as ‘a pleasant pupil who derived full benefit from her course’.
At the time of the 1939 Register Ivy was living at home with her widowed mother and siblings and working as an invoice clerk for a gown manufacturer. Her ‘good grasp of elementary book keeping’ clearly served her well. At the same time she took on the responsibility of being a voluntary factory first aider.
Marriage, faith and drama
In 1941 Ivy married Ronald Muschamp and together they raised four children. Faith played an important part in Ivy’s life. She was an active member of The Bethel Baptist Church contributing to many of its groups and activities.
Her love of drama, first recognised at school – where in 1935 The Shipley Times & Express praised her outstanding performance as Gobbo in ‘The Merchant of Venice’ – continued into adulthood. She performed with the Christian Youth Players in 1944 giving another outstanding performance in ‘Mullions Millions’.
Ivy also sang solo in the Christian Youth Choir, was a member of the Young People’s Fellowship Group, the Young Wives Group and also the Ladies Guild, often holding meetings in her own home.
Shop owner, host, and later life
By 1953 Ivy and Ronald were running a grocer’s shop at 7 Victoria Road Saltaire balancing business, family life and community involvement.
In 1957 she was one of many people who offered accommodation to international visitors attending the World Scout Jamboree in Sutton Coldfield (held to celebrate the 100th birthday of the Scouts’ founder, Lord Baden Powell). Ivy and her family played host to Hyacinth Arthurs from Kingston Jamaica. Hyacinth was one of 56 Jamaicans who later went on to visit the Mackintosh Mill in Halifax before continuing their countrywide tour, which concluded in Edinburgh.
Ivy was still singing solo in 1960, this time in aid of the Baptist Women’s Missionary Association.
Sadly, Ivy passed away in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire in August 1982. Her story is a quiet one but shows her commitment to helping and entertaining others.
Tracey Williams 2026