Mrs L Thomas

Pembroke Dock

MRS Laura Thomas passed away peacefully surrounded by her family at Withybush Hospital, Haverfordwest, after a short period of pneumonia.

Laura left detailed instructions regarding her funeral arrangements and she wished the service to be a celebration of her ‘long, happy and life well lived’.

She was born in Llanteg in 1919.

During her working life Mrs Thomas, as she became known, and following passing her test (first time) at the age of 19, in 1939 began teaching driving.

In the following 78 years she taught many hundreds of South Pembrokeshire people to drive, including in many cases up to four generations of the same family.

Renowned for her `first time` pass rate, and teaching people in their own cars, she was a formidable lady who helped to make the roads safer for all.

Following a visit to relatives in America she set up a womens-only swim club, helping them to learn to swim and find confidence in themselves.

She was a long-time member of Soroptimist International, and for many years was treasurer of her local church, St. Patrick`s, she also started and ran a Sunday Club there for local youngsters.

After a life-time of helping others, she passed away peacefully surrounded by her family.

The family left to mourn and principal mourners are Joan (daughter); Neville (son-in-law); Mike (grandson); Deanna (partner); Sharon (granddaughter); Jeremy (grandson-in-law), numerous great grandchildren all of whom she absolutely adored.

Family and friends said goodbye to Laura on August 18 at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, Narberth.

The service was beautifully officiated by Revd Mike Brotherton, whom Laura first met many years ago, when he was Curate in Pembroke Dock.

Laura`s favourite music was played at the service.

Sharon, her granddaughter, welcomed her Nan into the crematorium by playing “Amazing Grace” as an unaccompanied flute solo and during the service her great grandson, Fred, played an unaccompanied trumpet solo “Swing Low Sweet Chariot”.

At the end of the service, a friend and past pupil, Sarah Benbow sang “I Did It My Way”. Family friend Christine Lloyd played the organ.

Laura was a truly remarkable lady who touched the lives of so many and will always be remembered.

Donations for the Wales Air Ambulance c/o E.C. Thomas & Son, Funeral Directors, Zoar Chapel Funeral Home, Llanteg, Narberth. SA67 8QH, who also carried out the funeral arrangements.

Mrs J E Jenkins

Reading

Formerly of Pembroke

MRS Joyce Elizabeth Jenkins of Upper Bucklebury, Reading and formerly of Bengal Villas, Pembroke passed away on August 30 at her son’s home.

She was 90.

Originally from Pembroke she was a loving wife and dedicated to her children and grandsons.

Her main interests were her family, home and gardening, also she was a parishioner and helper at St Michaels Church, Pembroke.

She was predeceased by her husband Tom Jenkins in November 1996.

The family left to mourn and principal mourners are Margaret Jenkins (daughter); John and Colin Jenkins (sons); Norma and Heather (daughters-in-law); Rhys and Owen (grandsons).

The funeral was held on September 14 at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, Narberth and it was officiated by Revd Martin Cox.

The bearers were Stewart and Daniel Treharne, Mark Parsell and Dorian Evans.

Donations for Bloodwise and Pembrokeshire Blind Society c/o E C Thomas and Son, Funeral Directors, Zoar Chapel Funeral Home, Llanteg, Narberth SA67 8QH, who also carried out the funeral arrangements.