Obituaries, October 21st

Haverfordwest

Olive Cooper, of De Clare Court, Haverfordwest, died on September 22nd, aged 87.

She was the wife of Aubrey and mother to Hazel and Dennis; grandmother to Sarah, Rebecca and Samuel. She also leaves to mourn: Alan (son-in-law); Loic and Lee (grandson-in-law); Georgia and Ellie (great granddaughters).

Olive was born in Morriston in 1922. During the Second World War she was a police officer. At the end of the war, Olive married Aubrey and for a brief period they lived in Bishopston, Gower. The couple settled in Haverfordwest in 1951, living in High Street, where her husband was manager of the Trustee Savings Bank.

For 40 years, Olive was a member at St Martin’s Church mothers’ union. She raised money for cancer research and later became press officer.

She held executive positions in the Union of Townswomen’s Guilds for 25 years, was a member of Age Concern committee and south Wales and west federation chairman for Electrical Association for Women.

Olive was a keen bowler and held every committee position at Haverfordwest bowls club. She later became a trustee and life member and made lifelong friends there.

People came from as far as Saudi Arabia to attend her funeral service at St Martin’s Church, Haverfordwest, led by Ven John Harvey.

Donations for Cancer Research UK may be sent to 67 High Street, Harborne, Birmingham.

Mrs G. M. Davies

Clarbeston Road

The death occurred at Withybush Hospital on September 11th of Gertrude Mary Davies, of Clarbeston, Clarbeston Road. She was 96.

A native of Clarbeston Road, she was in service at Pentypark Estate, then at Scollock Bill. The rest of her life was dedicated to her family.

Her interests included reading, knitting, Walton East Church, Walton Mothers’ Union and Clarbeston Road WI.

She was predeceased by her husband Haydn James Davies in 1971.

Family left to mourn and principal mourners are: Tony and Gillian Davies, Nigel and Karen Davies and Neil Davies (sons and daughters-in-law); Kevin Davies, Gavin Davies, Rebecca Davies (grandchildren); David John, Sandra and John Ewart (nephew and niece); Martin Price, Louise John, Caroline Harries (great-nephew and nieces) and Betty Bevan (niece).

Unable to attend were Adrian Davies (son); Jonathon Davies (grandson); Morgan Davies (great-grandson).

The funeral service was held at Walton East Church and was led by Rev Nicholas Cale. The bearers were Martell Rees, David Voyle, George Llewellin and Stephen Williams.

Donations may be sent to Mr A. Davies, 14 Moorfield Avenue, Clarbeston Road for St Mary’s Church, Walton East.

The funeral arrangements were carried out by Tom Newing and Sons, Milford Haven.

Mrs A. E. M. Hughes

Roch

The death occurred of Alice Elizabeth May (Betty) Hughes, of Pilgrims Way, Roch on September 27th at Withybush Hospital. She was 86.

A native of Roch, she spent her working life on the family smallholding at Middle Slade, Hayscastle. She retired from farming in 1987 and moved to Pilgrims Way, Roch.

Her family were her main focus, and before retirement she loved to bake and make jams and chutneys. She also loved to attend the Simpson Cross luncheon club.

She was also a member of the Penuel Baptist Chapel, Roch, attending every Sunday.

Family left to mourn and principal mourners are: David and Monica Hughes, Eddie and Pat Hughes, John Hughes (sons and daughters-in-law); Anne and Paul Long, Dawn and Noel Robinson (daughters and sons-in-law); Wayne, Martin and Jane, Mandy and Peter, Adrian and Lesley, Steven and Andrea, Matthew, Sarah and Bob, Emma and Bart, Naomi and Julian, Tim and Lindsey, Jo and Oliver (grandchildren); Sam, Jamie, Bethan, Abby, Christopher, Ben, Lewis, Alfie and Ryan (great-grandchildren); Ted Hughes (brother) who was unable to attend from Leicester, Mr and Mrs K. Dixon, Sheila Roach, Mr and Mrs D. Morgan (sisters and brother-in-laws); Mr and Mrs A. Beattie (sister-in-law and brother-in-law) plus numerous nephews and nieces.

The funeral service was held at Newton Chapel Cemetery, Hayscastle, and was led by Rev P. Gwyther and Rev H. Brown.

The bearers were Wayne Hughes, Martin Hughes, Adrian Hughes, Steven Long, Matthew Hughes and Tim Robinson (grandsons).

The funeral arrangements were carried out by Roy Folland and Son, Haverfordwest.

MR E. O’BRIEN

ST DAVIDS

Eric O’Brien, of St Davids, died at Withybush Hospital on September 30th, aged 80.

Born at Tidsworth Barracks, Hampshire, he spent his first three years in Germany where his father served in the army, before returning to Manchester, where he spent his formative years.

After leaving school, he served an apprenticeship as a carpenter and joiner, but the great love of Eric’s life was the outdoors, fishing, shooting, and survival off the land.

He later became the original poacher-turned-gamekeeper, accepting a post as gamekeeper at Powys Castle.

In his early 20s he joined the Territorial Army and trained at Castlemartin. He later joined Gilbert Ash Company, and a contract to build an extension to Ysgol Dewi Sant brought him to St Davids, where he eventually settled, establishing himself as a carpenter. He married Betty in 1957.

Returning to his love of the outdoors, Eric bought a boat and established a pleasure boat company, which he owned for more than 35 years. Eric’s hobbies included scuba diving, water skiing, ballroom dancing, judo and restoring vintage Land Rovers. He was a member of the St Davids voluntary fire brigade.

Eric spent the last few weeks of his life at Shalom House.

The funeral was on October 6th at St David’s Cathedral and Parc Gwyn Crematorium, and was led by Rev Jonathan Lean, Dean of St Davids, who read a tribute to Eric’s life, written by his daughter Deborah.

Timothy Howells (friend) also read a tribute. The bearers at St David’s Cathedral were David and Jonathan Bennett (cousins), William Wye and Timothy Howells (friends) and at Parc Gwyn were Malcolm and Eifion Harries, Tim Rees and Justin Williams (cousins).

Left to mourn are: Betty (wife); Deborah (daughter); Maureen and Lol Wileman (sister and brother-in-law); Geraldine O’Brien, Joan and Maldive Evans (nieces and husband) along with family and friends too numerous to mention.

Unable to attend were: David and Brenda O’Brien (brother and sister-in-law); Nancie Harries, Ruth Harries, Non Rees and Gwenfyl Bennett (cousins).

There were family flowers only, with donations if desired for Shalom House, St Davids, and ward ten, Withybush Hospital. They should be sent to Islwyn J. Phillips, Trem-y-Wawr, 3 Bryn Teg, St Davids, SA62 6SQ, who also carried out the funeral arrangements.

Mrs M. E. Thomas

Jameston

The death of Mary Elizabeth Thomas, of Meadow Road, Jameston, occurred on August 26th at Withybush Hospital. She was 86.

Formerly from Tenby, she was in the women’s land army during the war, and then ran the Lindholme guest house in Victoria Street, Tenby, for almost 30 years. Following this she ran a shop at the Five Arches, Tenby from where she retired at the age of 76.

Her interests included her work, animals, music, gardening and she was a founder member of the New Hedges WI.

Family left to mourn and principal mourners are: Lynne Thomas (son); Peter Davies (brother); Jane Williams and Myra Davies.

The funeral service was held at Manorbier Church, followed by interment at Manorbier churchyard. It was led by Rev Robin Webley. The bearers were Paul, Terry, Arthur and Gavin.

There were family flowers only with donations for Macmillan Cancer Support to E. C. Thomas and Son, Archways, Green Plains, Stepaside, SA67 8LT, who carried out the funeral arrangements.

Mr. G. S. Pyart

Milford Haven (formerly of Haverfordwest)

The death of Gordon Salisbury Pyart occurred peacefully at his home, 12 Skomer Drive, Milford Haven, on September 29th. He was 88.

A native of Prendergast, he lived for many years at Milford Road, Haverford-west. During the war years, he served with the Royal Horse Artillery in Egypt and on his demobilisation, he worked with Green’s Buses and later Western Welsh, from where he retired.

Predeceased by his wife Kitty in 1989, he leaves to mourn: Michael and Tricia (son and daughter-in-law); Shane (grandson); Stanley and Beatrice (brother and sister-in-law) together with nephews and nieces too numerous to mention.

The funeral took place on October 7th at St Katharine’s and St Peter’s Church, Milford Haven, followed by interment at Sardis Baptist Church. Ven Dr John Holdsworth officiated.

There were family flowers only. Donations, if desired, for Help for Heroes, may be sent to Philip Hancock, 129 Skomer Drive, Milford Haven, SA73 2RF. The funeral arrangements were carried out by Tom Newing and Sons, of Milford Haven

Mr P. B. Warlow

Dale

Peter Bryon Warlow, of Valley View, Dale, died at Withybush Hospital on September 20th. He was 61.

A native of Dale, he was the youngest son of the late Clement and Ruby Warlow of Dale. He had suffered ill health for most of his life.

He enjoyed TV especially snooker and looking at the birds in his garden.

Family left to mourn and principal mourners are: brothers and sisters-in-law Glanmor, Doris and family, Alan, Elsie and family. A large number of relatives and friends also attended.

The funeral service was held at St James’ Church, Dale, followed by interment at Dale Cemetery, officiated by Canon Denis Wight.

The organist was Mrs Pomeroy and the bearers were Anthony Ramsey, Colin Llewellyn, David Gainfort and Ronald Gainfort.

The funeral arrangements were carried out by F. G. Rees and Son.

There were family flowers only. Donations for the Epilepsy Society can be sent to Mr W. Bevan, 51 Blue Anchor Way, Dale, Haverfordwest.

Mrs J. Davies

Fishguard

The death occurred at Withybush Hospital on September 23rd of Jean Davies, of Hafod, Dwr-Bach, Fishguard. She was 74.

Jean was the eldest daughter of Captain Howard Watkins – the senior captain of a Scottish Tanker company – and Katie, a schoolmistress of Maesygraig, Trefin.

After leaving St Davids Grammar School, she attended Cardiff College of Domestic Science for three years, before taking a teaching post in Swindon. She returned as head of domestic science in 1957 to Fishguard Secondary School, where she met John.

Jean returned to supply teaching when her daughters were in their teens at Tasker’s and Fishguard, ending her career at Croesgoch School.

Family left to mourn are: John (husband); Elinor and Mari-Ann (daughters); Jeffrey and Keith (sons-in-law); Ioan, Iolo, Ifan, Ianto and Lois (grandchildren).

The funeral service held at Parc Gwyn Crematorium was led by Rev Alan Salmon and the bearers were William Miles, Islwyn Harries, Ken Thomas and Idris James.

There were family flowers only with donations in lieu for Rheumatism Research and Paul Sartori Foundation. The funeral arrangements were carried out by Paul Jenkins and Sons, Fishguard.