Obituaries for May 31st 2017

Pembroke

MR WILLIAM Blair (known as Bill) passed away peacefully on April 1 at home in Jogram Avenue, Pembroke.

He was 85.

Bill was a mason by trade with the council and other companies until his retirement.

He served in the Highland Regiment in the Army, and then met his wife Jean who was also serving in the Army.

Eventually they got married and they would have celebrated 67 years of marriage this year. Jean was originally from Pembroke, where they settled as was Bill’s wish.

He loved his garden and being a family man around his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and he was a loving husband.

The service was held at Parc Gwyn on April 12 and it was officiated by Rev Graham Davies.

The eulogy was read by granddaughter Kelly.

The family left to mourn Jean (wife); Heather and Haydn (daughter and son-inlaw); Kelly (granddaughter); Paula and Anthony (granddaughter and partner); Ryan (great grandson); Alex and Aaron (great grandchildren); Ian and Emma (son and partner); Andrew (son who passed away five years ago); Meg (sister); Helen (sister, New Zealand) and John (brother) plus nieces and nephews too numerous to mention.

Donations in lieu of flowers to the Paul Sartori Foundation are c/o John Roberts and Son, Bush Street Pembroke Dock who also carried out the funeral arrangements.

Mrs I B Harries

Hayscastle

THE DEATH occurred peacefully of a very well known, popular and kind member of the community, Mrs Iris Bronwen Harries of Maesgwyn, Hayscastle.

Aged 92, the deceased was the only child of the late Joe and Maud Evans and was born in City Road, Haverfordwest.

Her husband, Merfyn, passed away eleven years ago.

Although enjoying reasonably good health until about two years ago, more recently she had suffered from failing sight and was dependant upon a wonderful team of carers who, together with other members of the family, saw to her every need.

At an early age “I” -as she was known to a very wide circle of friends –moved with her parents to a smallholding at Hayscastle and as she grew up, whilst her father worked elsewhere, Iris and her mother took care of the small milking herd at Pantybrwyn.

She actively supported Aelwyd Castellhaidd (Welsh League of Youth) at Hayscastle and, during the war years, had worked at the Royal Naval Armaments depot at Trecwn where she became held in high regard by other members of the workforce and lifelong friendships ensued.

She later married Merfyn Harries who was then employed by a local agricultural contractor. He progressed to become an engineer with S & F Green before joining an animal feed compounder and then taking on the role of full time organiser to the Pembrokeshire Federation of Young Farmers Clubs, a position he held for some 17 years..

It was during this time that her circle of friends rapidly extended as she gained a popular presence in YFC circles with the young members who always thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated her company.

She retained fond memories of meeting leaders of the movement at club level and elsewhere, not only within the county but across the UK.

Within the local community she had, when able, supported most of the activities and had become a Life Member of the local show committee of which she, and her late husband, had been founder members.

They had always shared a passion for gardening and it was this abiding interest which consumed most of their spare time; that, and being members of the Goodwick and district Gardening Club and exhibiting at many horticultural shows.

Such was her fondness for the bird population that a colony of finches, sparrows, robins and so forth, were constantly seen at her door waiting for tasty tit-bits and visiting the bird table outside her kitchen window.

Iris had also been an enthusiastic member of the North Pembrokeshire Floral Art Society and a keen breeder of Sealyham terriers - a breed which had it’s origins in her immediate area.

From her early days she had become a member of the Sunday School at Noddfa Newton Baptist Church before being baptised and accepting full membership. A very capable musician she also served the Chapel as it’s regular organist for very many years.

It was at Newton Chapel where a large gathering of relatives, neighbours and friends assembled to pay their last respects at her funeral.

The services at the Chapel and at the adjoining cemetery was presided over by her minister, Rev Aled Jenkins, and a portion of the scriptures were read by Mrs Marlene Jenkins. The organist was Mr Geraint Evans.

The bearers were Messrs Alan Pearce, Graham Lewis, Huw Davies and Emyr Davies.

Principle mourners were nephews and nieces. Donations in lieu, for the upkeep of Noddfa Newton cemetery and the RSPB, are c/o the undertakers, Messrs Paul Jenkins & Son, Feidr Castell, Fishguard.

Mr E I J Howells

Maenclochog

MR ERIC Ivor James Howells of Awel-y-mynydd, Maenclochog passed away suddenly on February 12, aged 63 years.

He was the beloved partner of Mair for 31 years. Eric was born at Nant-y-gof Farm, Llanycefn. He was the youngest child of seven born to the late Ivor and Rose Howells.

After leaving school he was employed with the Pembrokeshire County Council for 43 years.

There was a large gathering of family and friends with a private service at the Wern Chapel of Rest, Clunderwen followed by public service at the cemetery, Maenclochog.

The service was officiated by the Rev Ken Thomas assisted by the Rev Geoffrey Eynon and Rev Eirian Wyn Lewis.

The family left to mourn were Mair (partner); John, Eirlys, Jean, Maureen, Nesta and Lyn (brothers and sisters) along with their families.

The bearers at the Chapel of Rest were Eric’s six nephews and at the cemetery his work colleagues.

Donations towards The Haematology Clinic, and Crymych First responders, c/o Ken Davies & Sons, Funeral Directors, Clunderwen who also carried out the funeral arrangements.

Mrs N Boardman

Goodwick

MRS NAOMI Boardman of Hillside Close, Goodwick passed away peacefully at her home on April 21 in her 91st year.

She grew up in Heol Dyfed in Fishguard along with her sister Eva and brother Edgar.

She attended the County School for which she passed the entrance exam when she was only nine. Whilst there, she developed a love of Latin, history and English literature passing her matriculation exams a year early thus enabling her to complete a commercial course in her fifth form. She taught herself to read music and play the piano.

Despite her academic prowess, she did not like school and when a job came up with the Customs & Excise at Fishguard Harbour she took it, becoming the first woman to hold such a position. During the War she joined the Home Guard.

In 1950 she married her husband Joe, whom she had known from an early age.

They moved into his family home at Bryngwyn, behind Heol Dyfed, but when the land was requisitioned for the new Secondary school they moved to Caerau Farm at Rhosycaerau where they farmed until 1984.

Upon retirement, they were able to spend time travelling and researching both family histories: Naomi’s St. David’s and Treffgarne connections and Joe’s Southern Irish roots. She also became more involved with St. Nicholas WI and latterly a regular attendee at Mathry WI.

Her interest in history saw her become a member of the local Historical Society inspiring her to research the history of Caerau Farm and producing a hand drawn large scale map. She was also a supporter of the Royal British Legion, Arthritis Care and the Goodwick Gardening Club.

Her garden was her pride and joy and many friends and family have cuttings and plants from her flower borders.

She was a faithful member of St. Mary’s Church, Manorowen and again used her research skills to write a successful grant application to the Lottery Fund for repairs to the church. She was instrumental in ensuring the re-opening of the church in 2016.

She cared for Joe in his latter years with love and dedication and missed his companionship greatly when he passed away in 2008.

However, she lived her life to the full and her determination and strength of character enabled her to live independently up until a few weeks before her death.

Her kindness and smile will be missed by her family and numerous friends.

The principal mourners were her daughters Mary Stone and Rosaleen Boardman; son-in-law Eryl Davies; grandchildren Mandy, Martyn, Angharad and Bill; great grandchildren Freya and Seren.

Interment was at St. Mary’s Church, Manorowen.

Donations will be accepted for St. Mary’s Church, Manorowen c/o Paul Jenkins & Sons, Fishguard who carried out the funeral arrangements.

Mrs B J Williams

Trefin

THE FUNERAL of Barbara Joan Williams, Caerau Canol, Trefin took place on April 6 at Rehoboth Chapel, Square and Compass.

Mrs Williams passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her family on March 30, aged 76.

Barbara leaves to mourn John (husband); Cefin and Suzelle (son and daughterin- law); Meirion (son); Teleri (daughter); Daniel and Hattie, Dafydd and Vicki, Iola and Dom (grandchildren and partners); Rhodri, Carian, Ceris and Llion (grandchildren), plus numerous cousins and family friends.

The funeral at Rehoboth Chapel was officiated by Rev Geraint Morse assisted by Revs Geoffrey Eynon and John Roberts and was followed by interment at Rehoboth Cemetery. The organist was Mrs Pat Reed.

The bearers were Cefin and Meirion (sons), Daniel, Dafydd, Rhodri and Llion (grandsons).

Donations to the Paul Sartori Foundation, Winch Lane, Haverfordwest.

The funeral arrangements were carried out by Paul Jenkins & Sons Funeral Directors, Fishguard.