Mr W J Spurr

Johnston

MR William John Spurr passed away at The Meadows Care Home, Johnston on April 8. He was 85.

As a native of Pembroke Dock, John began work as a Fireman with the G.W.R. at Neyland station. He did his National Service as a Royal Engineer and spent two years in Germany. He then, after his National Service, worked at the Marine Port Services as a leading hand – and stayed there for 25 years.

His main interests were playing football for Pennar Robins, he was an avid gardener and loved growing flowers.

John went abroad quite regularly and enjoyed visiting other countries. He was a great Country and Western fan and loved dancing.

He spent many hours at the R.E.O.C. Pembroke Dock and won many snooker trophies.

He loved animals and Ruby and he entered many shows with their Bichon Frise prize dogs and large poodles. He kept rabbits and loved his birds – both wild and caged.

John had two finches until he entered The Meadows Care Home in Nov 2011.

He was predeceased by his wife Ruby Doreen Spurr.

The family left to mourn are Albert and May Spurr (brother and sister-in-law); Rose Bastin (sister); Brian and Jean Spurr (brother and sister- in-law); Gillian and Billy Bradshaw (sister and brotherin- law), and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his late wife Ruby, his sister Mary Shanklin and brotherin- law Ray Bastin.

The funeral service was held at Pennar Community Chapel, Bethany, Pembroke Dock on April 21 and was officiated by Rev Elizabeth Squires.

The bearers were Malcolm Bastin, Stewart Longhurst, Jimmy Spurr and Jonathan Rees.

There were family flowers only with donations, if so desired, for The Meadows Care Home, Johnston c/o E.C.Thomas and Son, Zoar Chapel Funeral Home, Llanteg, Narberth SA67 8QH who carried out the funeral arrangements.

Mrs P S Devonald

Milford Haven

THE death occurred peacefully at Withybush Hospital on April 18 of Mrs Pamela Shan Devonald at the age of 56.

Born in Cardigan Hospital, she lived in Fishguard, Swansea and Milford Haven.

When Pamela left school, she went to work with Gabriel Wade on Milford Docks where she met her husband Nicholas (Nick) A quiet and unassuming person Pamela was a homemaker, devoted to Nick and so proud of her two boys, Christopher and Andrew. She was the much loved daughter of Betty Vittle and the late David Vittle who passed away three years ago and loving sister to her two brothers Garry and Andrew.

Pamela loved gardening, cooking, walking in the country and by the sea.

The family left to mourn are Nicholas (husband); Christopher and Andrew (sons); Betty (mum); Garry and Joanne (brother and partner); Andrew and Linda (brother and sister-in-law); Sarah (niece).

The funeral service was held at Parc Gwyn with Mrs Margaret Price officiating.

The bearers were Christopher and Andrew (sons); Garry and Andrew (brothers).

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

Mrs J Phillips

Gorslas

MRS Judy Phillips (nee Maxted) passed away suddenly on April 14.

Her funeral took place at Parc Gwyn Crematorium on April 20.

Judy was born in Haverfordwest and attended Prendergast Infants and then Sir Thomas Picton School. She had various jobs beside working for the Womens Aid for ten years.

Her main interests were gardening and spending time with her dogs and family, who she was devoted to.

Most people will remember her for her great sense of humour.

She was full of fun.

Judy leaves to mourn her beloved husband Hywel; daughter Sandra; sons Daniel and Ian; grandchildren Shannon, Ebony, Keely, Dan, Charlie, Carly and Harry; great grandchildren Kian; sisters Paula, Lesley, Denny and brother Phil; aunty Prue, Mary, Bobby and Hue (cousins); nieces and nephews too numerous to mention.

There were family flowers only with donations for Cystic Fibrosis to Mrs D John, Carmini Isaf. Mynachlogddu, Carms.

Mrs R Jenkins

Pelcomb

MRS Ruby Jenkins (formerly Phillips) of Dunston Hill Farm, Pelcomb, passed away peacefully at her home on Monday March 7, she was 66.

Ruby was born at Trehyspys near St Davids and moved with her parents into St Davids in 1955. She attended the local schools and then began work at both the Twr Y Felin and Whitesands Bay Hotels.

She then went to work at St Davids Assemblies.

Ruby’s main interests were her family and friends. She was full of fun and enjoyed parties, travelling and gardening.

She was a devoted wife, mam and Mamgu and will be sadly missed.

Ruby leaves to mourn her husband Ken (who she married in 1974); children Geraint, Gareth and Elinor; grandchildren Iestyn and Lowri; also her brothers Islwyn, Leslie, Terry and Colin and so many other beloved family members and friends, to join David (her son) and Alun (her brother). A large gathering which was testament to her popularity and character attended the funeral service at Ebenezer Chapel, St Davids on Wednesday March 16 followed by cremation at Parc Gwyn, Narberth. Officiating were Rev Huw Geogre, Rev Geoffrey Eynon, Canon Dorian Davies and Mr John Evans.

A touching rendition of ‘You Raise Me Up’ was sang at Chapel by Miss Susie Shales.

The bearers were Geraint and Gareth Jenkins, Clive Jenkins, Adrian Jones, Steven James and Ifan Phillips.

There were family flowers only and donations for Paul Sartori c/o Mr Islwyn Phillips, St Davids.

The funeral arrangements were carried out by Paul Jenkins and Sons of Fishguard.

Mrs I M Davies

Maenclochog

Formerly of Ontario, Canada

MRS Iris Maud Davies of Maes Glas, Maenclochog formerly of Ontario Canada died peacefully at Ridgeway Nursing Home on Friday April 22, aged 88.

She was born in Broadhaven, but got married at 17 and emigrated to Canada and lived there for 44 years.

Her main interests were gardening and playing scrabble.

The family left to mourn are her husband Norman; her sister Mary; and in Canada her daughters Josie and Kay, her sons Denny and Allan; Chris, Jennifer, Sean, Morwen, Paul and Michael (grandchildren); Frances, Melissa, Ryan, Serah and Shannon (great grandmother); and in Wales she was a much loved step mother to Wendy, Gaynor and Eleri; great step grandmother to Lauren, Lewis, Nicholas, Erin and Dylan; great great step grandmother to Jenson, Lily, Jack and Evelyn.

The public service was held at Seilo Chapel, Tufton on Thursday April 28. The service was officiated by Rev Geoffrey Eynon, assisted by Rev Ken Thomas and Rev David Morris.

The organist was Mrs Olwen O’Connor.

The bearers were Robert Smith, Huw Griffith, Clive Bevan, Nicholas Bevan, Dylan Smith and Emyr Edwards.

There were family flowers only with donations gratefully received if desired towards the Stroke Unit at Withybush Hospital c/o Mrs Wendy Smith, 18 Ellis Avenue, Haverfordwest SA61 1NT.

The funeral director was Mr Dennis Jones Efailwen. The ushers were Mr and Mrs Verian and Margaret Williams.

The service was recorded to enable it to be shown in Canada by Kenvin and Anne Morris.

Mrs A.R.K. Hughes

Wooden

Formerly of Broadmoor

A large gathering of family and friends attended Carew Wesley Chapel on April 15 for the funeral of Aminda Rose Kezia Hughes, aged 96. Aminda had been a resident of Pencoed Care Home, Wooden for the past three years and died there peacefully on April 2.

Born in Cosheston in June 1919, Aminda grew up in Sageston attending Carew Cheriton School and Pembroke Dock Grammar School.

She left school to work on the family farm, Brooklands, in Sageston and met her future husband Arthur Hughes in 1937. After courting during the war years they were married in Carew Wesley Chapel in 1945.

Aminda and Arthur spent over sixty years farming and raising a family at Waters Hill, Broadmoor.

In retirement they moved to a bungalow in Pentlepoir. Arthur died in 2010.

Aminda’s life revolved around her family, farming and home. She was an accomplished pianist and served as organist from an early age at Carew Wesley and later Redberth Methodist Chapel. She also enjoyed playing when required as a member of Kilgetty W.I.

The celebration of Aminda’s life, led by Rev. Lorette Hinson, was followed by interment at Carew Cheriton Cemetery along with Arthur’s ashes.

Aminda is survived by her brother Don, son Raymond, daughter Rosemary and her husband Peter, grand-daughter Eleanor and her husband Mark, grandson Douglas and his wife Eloise, great-grandsons Lewis and Joshua.

The bearers were Mervyn Roberts, David Hughes, Graham Hughes, Stuart Hughes, Andrew Mathias, (nephews), and Julian Ellis (family friend and neighbour).

There were family flowers only but donations in lieu, may be made to Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund or Arthritis Research UK c/o E.C.

Thomas and Son, Funeral Directors, Zoar Chapel Funeral Home, Llanteg, Narberth SA67 8QH who carried out the funeral arrangements.

Mrs B Davies

Llawhaden

THE death occurred suddenly but peacefully on April 12 at Withybush Hospital of Beryl Davies, aged 81 years of Dan y Coed, Llawhaden.

Born in Llysyfran to David and Alice Williams, Beryl was sister to Glyn, Maisie, Cyril and Marion, all of whom predeceased her. She worked as a housekeeper firstly with Mrs Marquiss in Narberth, then at the Fourcroft Hotel in Tenby and with Dr Peter and Dr Olwen in Narberth, it was during this time that she met and later married Emrys from Trewynt Farm, Bethesda.

They married in 1957 and moved straight to Dan y Coed to farm, where they lived for 58 years. It was a hard-working and happy time. Emrys and Beryl had two children, Sue and Linda.

As well as being a full-time farmers wife, Beryl took a part time job in Ridgeway Nursing Home, Llawhaden.

Beryl was a quiet, kind and loving person, who loved to have her family around her, and the arrival of her two grandchildren, Becky and Tom was the highlight of her life, and she loved to spend time with them.

Beryl loved fun and had a true hearty laugh. She was a small lady with a big smile.

She was a much loved wife, mother, mother-in-law, nanny, sister-in-law, aunt and cousin.

The family left to mourn are Emrys (husband); Sue (daughter); Linda and Brian (daughter and son-in-law); Becky and Tom (grandchildren).

The funeral was held on April 19. A private family service was held at the Chapel of Rest in Clunderwen, the bearers were Alan Williams, Robert Williams, Wayne Williams and Gareth Hicks (nephews) followed by a service at Parc Gwyn, where a large gathering of family and friends attended. The service was officiated by Reverend Canon Geoffrey D Gwyther.

The bearers at Parc Gwyn were Huw Howells, Peter Hart, Mike Edwards and Byron Williams. Funeral leaflets were distributed at Parc Gwyn by Dr David Bryant and Paul Phillips.

Donations for Wales Air Ambulance by Mr Graham Searle, Berllan Fach, Llawhaden, Narberth.

The funeral arrangements were carried out by Mr & Mrs Ken Davies of Clunderwen.

Mrs S M James

Narberth

IT IS with much sadness that we report the sudden death, at home on April 4 of Mrs Shirley May James, aged 59, of Queen’s Court, Narberth.

Shirley was the beloved wife of Alec, loving sister of twin Louise, and of Linda, loved and admired aunt and sister-in-law, and so much more to so many people.

Shirley grew up and was educated in Bristol, then trained as a teacher of P.E. at Chelsea College of PE, Eastbourne, later retraining in Maths at Winchester. It was at her first teaching post in Andover that she met Alec, and some years later they moved to Pembrokeshire, where Shirley quickly gained a reputation as an inspirational teacher, and a talented tennis player and coach.

She first worked in The Rath in Milford Haven as a lifeguard, moving in the early eighties to begin a long and illustrious career at Netherwood School, Saundersfoot.

She soon became a valued colleague, a trusted teacher and coach, and a good and loyal friend, pioneering the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, and coaching teams that won matches against much larger schools regularly. She entered into all aspects of school life, even taking school camps, and skiing trips and was always ready to help other members of staff when needed. The staff-room was a livelier place when Shirley was there and lifelong friendships were forged there.

As her time at Netherwood drew to a close Shirley also trained as a driving instructor with Suen Andrews, and with her typical skill and tenacity ensured that many local people, including past school pupils, passed their tests with flying colours.

When Netherwood closed, Shirley took up another teaching post at The Castle School, and soon established the same reputation there, endearing herself to pupils and staff alike with her capacity for hard work and that crazy sense of humour.

Indeed, although suffering a serious illness last year, which she fought with her customary courage and fortitude, she was delighted to get back to teaching in January and pupils and staff were so pleased to welcome her back.

Apart from family and teaching, tennis was Shirley’s passion and her list of achievements in this sport is awe-inspiring. She won the Pembrokeshire Singles Championship eight times, and captained her club the South Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire Tennis Club to the division one veteran’s championship over many years. She represented Wales on many occasions playing as part of the winning team at the Senior Four Nations competition in 2007, and in recent years had been appointed a selector for the various Senior Welsh Ladies’ teams. She had twice won the Ladies Singles crown in the Welsh closed veterans’ event.

Her talents also led her, as a member of the Senior South Wales Tennis Committee, to organise many tournaments for the benefit of the women veterans, and she will be sorely missed by the tennis community throughout Wales.

The funeral service at Parc Gwyn, reflected the love and respect felt for Shirley throughout her adopted county of Pembrokeshire and beyond, and was attended by tennis players, pupils, and staff, past and present, and by her many friends. It was officiated by the Rev Alwyn Daniels, with heartfelt tributes from Joe Daley, a pupil at Castle School, Nicole Evans, a past colleague and friend from Netherwood, and Liz Singer, a long-standing tennis friend. Many memories were shared later over refreshments at Plas Hyfryd and Alec, Louise, Linda and family, left to mourn, must surely have taken comfort from the vast outpouring of love evident for Shirley, a lady who loved life and lived it to the full. Her ability to pass this on to young people, whether through Maths, sport in general and tennis in particular, will ensure that she will never be forgotten.

There were family flowers only but donations should be made payable to either ‘Cinnamon Trust’ or ‘Cardiac Fund, Morriston Hospital’ c/o Paul Jenkins and Sons, Funeral Directors, Feidr Castell, Fishguard, SA65 9BB who carried out the funeral arrangements.

Mr D Gronow

Goodwick

MR Dennis Gronow of Hillside Close, Goodwick passed away peacefully at his home on March 28, aged 88.

Dennis was born in Tumble but moved to Goodwick in the early 1930’s, when his father came to work on the railway.

He lived with his parents (the late Charles and Rosalind Gronow) and his elder brother (the late Donald Gronow).

Dennis attended the National School in Fishguard and on leaving joined his father and brother as a railwayman. He was a Corporal in the Army Reserve whilst doing his National Service after the war.

He spent most of his working career employed by the South Wales Electricity Board for whom he worked until his retirement. He was also a volunteer for many years on the coastguards.

Dennis married his first wife (the late Olive) in 1951 spending their married life living in Goodwick. They enjoyed countless happy occasions with their nieces and nephews. Sadly Dennis’s beloved Olive passed away in 1988 after a long illness.

He eventually remarried in 1994 to Barbara and gained a stepson Geraint, and stepdaughter Buddug. As time went on he also gained three granddaughters Angharad, Rhiannon and Fflur who over the years gave him immense pleasure and he was so proud of their achievements. Dennis suffered a second loss when Barbara passed away in 2006 again after a long illness.

The Church was a central part of Dennis’s life and his dedication was lifelong. He was a Church warden, assisted at Holy Communion and was the driving force behind the building of the new Church Hall which stands today as a lasting memorial to him.

The funeral service was held at St Peter’s Church Goodwick, followed by a short service at Parc Gwyn on April 5. The service was officiated by the Reverend Christopher Brown assisted by the Reverend Richard Davies. The attendance at the funeral was a testament of how well regarded and respected Dennis was. This included a guard of honour by the Men’s Society of which Dennis was a key member. Donations to St Peter’s Church Men’s Society (Church Hall Fund) c/o Paul Jenkins and Sons, Feidir Castell, Fishguard, SA65 9BB, who carried out the funeral arrangements.

Mrs R M O’Rourke

Haverfordwest

Rachel Miriam O’Rourke (nee Davies) passed away peacefully in her own home on February 22.

Rachel had a rich and varied life which spanned a full and fruitful 91 years. She was born in St. Davids and is survived by her three sisters- Janet, Mary and Grace, her two children James and Enfys and grand daughters Cari and Alaw.

Rachel trained as a post officer worker and telegraph operator after leaving school and worked in Cardiganshire and Carmarthen before returning to Haverfordwest in Pembrokeshire where she met her husband of 62 years Leo, who passed away just three months before Rachel in November 2015.

The couple moved to St Ishmaels following Leo’s appointment as headmaster of the village school and Rachel enjoyed the village life taking part in a number of groups and village activities especially the WI, which included an opportunity to represent Wales at an international gathering in Dublin, Sandyhill Chapel where she was organist and a loyal member for over 30 years and the Friends of Kensington Hospital.

Rachel and Leo then moved to Haverfordwest in 1973, following his appointment as Headmaster of Prendergast Junior School. Rachel joined Merched y Wawr, the Cymrodorion, Bethesda Baptist Chapel and the Arts Club in Haverfordwest and particularly enjoyed the “dosbarth”

studying Welsh literature in Wolfscastle.

Rachel was a passionate Welsh lady and keen to promote and support the Welsh language and culture. A regular National Eisteddfod attendee, she was at her happiest in the Pafiliwn enjoying musical and all other forms of performance .

She enjoyed travelling and visiting theatres and concerts with lifetime highlights at the Oberamergau Passion Play in 1970, a Bryn Terfel performance in Don Giovani in Salzberg Festival in 1994 and a visit to Egypt and Israel with a Christian tour group lead by the Reverend Aled Jenkins who officiated the funeral service in the WG Mathias Chapel of Rest in St Davids, assisted by the Rev Eifion Roberts and Rev John Cecil.

Annual caravan holidays at Pencarnan enabled Rachel to keep contact with her strong family roots in St Davids and with the stories and histories of the six generations who are now joined by Rachel and Leo in the family chapel graveyard in Tretio.

Rachel fought her dementia for eight years, gradually losing her mental capacities but maintaining her dignity, kindness and good humour to the end.

Great kindness was shown to Rachel and the family by Winch Lane Surgery, Winch Lane District nurses, Crossroads , Pembrokeshire Care, and Croeso Care who enabled her to fulfill her desire to spend her last days in her own home .

Donations for the Friends of Crossroads in Pembrokeshire c/o W G Bernard Mathias, 64 New Street, St Davids, SA62 6SU.