Obituaries, March 4th

Pembroke Dock

The death occurred on January 30th of Linda Elizabeth Pearce, of Cumby Terrace, Pembroke. She was 58.

She was a housewife and was once a ladies champion in jalopy and autograss racing, an interest she shared with the whole family and which took her all over the country as well as to Ireland, a place she loved to visit.

She formed a very strong friendship with members of the West Waterford Autograss Club, with many attending the funeral.

Her other interests included playing darts for the county, bingo, watching tennis and fishing.

Principal mourners and family left to mourn are: Paul Pearce (husband); Michelle and Stephen, Paula and Martyn, Sharon and Dai (daughters and sons-in-law); Lee and Jo (son and partner); Kristy, Amber, Jamie, Rhys, Joshua, Jacob, Joseph, Jack, Ellena (grandchildren); June, Liam, David and Janet, Michael and Joy, Andrea and Peter, Kelly and Niall, Eugene and Pru, Kevin and Mari, Becky and Scott, Ryan and Adam (nieces and nephews), plus other family and friends.

Unable to attend were Evelyn Pearce (mother-in-law), Ian and Louise, Mark and Sarah (brothers and sisters-in-law), Jason, Alex, Laura, Ben, Amy (nieces and nephews).

The funeral was held at St John’s Church, Pembroke Dock on February 10th, followed by cremation at Parc Gwyn Crematorium.

Rev Nigel Thomas officiated.

The bearers were Martyn Tegerdine, Stephen Williams, Dai Powell, Hugh Williams, Raymond Morgans, Eugene McCarney, Kevin McCarney and Niall O’Connor.

Donations in lieu of flowers to Tenovus may be sent to John Roberts and Son, Funeral Directors, 51 Bush Street, Pembroke Dock.

Mrs E. M. Bowles

Pembroke

The funeral took place recently of Esther Margaret Bowles, affectionately known to all as Hetty, of Clare Walk, Pembroke and formerly of The Green, Pembroke.

Hetty was predeceased by her husband Thomas Bowles in 1944.

After this she turned to looking after her family, although sadly not having children of her own.

Before her retirement, she also worked at Riverside in Pembroke for many years.

The funeral took place at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, Narberth and her ashes were later interred at St Michael’s Cemetery, Pembroke.

Rev Roger Jones, vicar of Pembroke officiated.

Family left to mourn are: Beryl and David, (niece and nephew); Karen and Alan, Jon and Gemma, Emma, (great-nieces and nephews); Kayleigh, Dano, Kelsey and Taylor, (great-great-nieces and nephews) together with family and friends too numerous to mention.

The bearers were David Lewis, Alan Kitts, Jon Gullam and Dano Kitts (nephews).

The funeral arrangements were carried out by Robert Hague, of John Roberts and Son, 51 Bush Street, Pembroke Dock.

Mrs R. M. Ralph

Neyland

The death occurred on February 14th of Renna Margaret Ralph, of Riga Avenue, Neyland, at Brooklands Nursing Home, Saundersfoot. She was 83.

A native of Bridgend, she moved to Rosemarket and then Neyland.

During her working life she worked at the Lord Nelson Hotel for many years, and also at the Bellhaven Hotel and Neyland Coffee House.

Renna brought up 13 children, the last five alone, after losing her husband at a young age.

Apart from cooking and baking, Renna was always knitting for her ever-growing family.

She also enjoyed many nights of bingo at the Astoria, Milford Haven and at both the Neyland Athletic and Legionnaire Clubs.

She also enjoyed many holidays in Southampton and Portsmouth, and took her first holiday abroad at the age of 79.

She was predeceased by her husband Leslie Charles Ralph in 1975; sons Emrys, Frederick and Alan; daughter Pauline; grandson Emrys; great-grandson Nathan and son-in-law Daryll.

Family left to mourn and principal mourners are: Pamela and Bobby, Michael and Janet, Trisha, Pearl and Allan, Lesley and Mike, Leonard and Lynne, Linda and Brian, Lorraine and Martin, Tracey and Dai (sons, daughters, husbands, wives and partners); Eirwyn and Anne (daughters-in-law); 31 grandchildren, 44 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandson, Trevor (brother); June, Gwenda and Mary (sisters); Colin (brother-in-law); nephews and nieces too numerous to mention; and staff of Brooklands Nursing Home.

The funeral was held at Bethesda Baptist Chapel, Neyland on February 20th, followed by interment at Honeyborough Cemetery.

The bearers were Michael and Leonard (sons); Martin and Dai (sons-in-law).

Donations in lieu of flowers for Brooklands Nursing Home, Saundersfoot may be sent to Mr D. Umanee at the nursing home.

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

Mrs I. E. Banner

Portfield Gate

The death occurred at Withybush Hospital on December 31st after a three week stay of Ivy Elvira Banner, of Lambston, Portfield Gate, Haverfordwest. She was 81.

A native of Lambston, she worked all her life on the farm and also as a dinner lady at Camrose South School.

Her interests were her family, particularly her four grandchildren.

She was pre-deceased by her husband Norman Banner in November 2007, and her eldest son Grenville in September 2008.

Principal mourners and family left to mourn are: Graham Banner (son); Delwyn and Janette Banner (son and daughter-in-law); Rose Banner (daughter-in-law); Oliver, Emily and Matthew (grandchildren); Tim and Nadine (grandson and wife); Aimee Rose (great-grandchild), plus numerous nephews, nieces and cousins.

The private family service was held at the Chapel of Rest, Freystrop, on January 9th, followed by cremation at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, officiated by Rev Canon Colin Bowen.

The bearers were Graham Banner (son), Oliver, Tim and Matthew Banner (grandsons).

There were family flowers only, but donations in lieu are for Velindre Hospital, Cardiff.

The funeral arrangements were carried out by Glyn Thomas and Son, Freystrop.

Mrs V. J. Davies

Neyland

The death occurred at Withybush Hospital on January 28th of Valerie Jean Davies, of James Street, Neyland. She was 73.

Born in Mastlebridge, the eldest of four children born to Reginald and Edith Hodges, she was educated in Neyland.

She enjoyed some sporting success, playing netball for the county.

After leaving school her working life started as a housekeeper at Glenowen House, Mastlebridge for the Richards family, before going on to deliver bread with Dilys Evans around the Neyland area.

Her other jobs included working as a counter assistant at the Star stores in Neyland, Jack Thomas grocery store in Milford Haven, and at Woolworths, Haverfordwest.

Her last job was as an auxiliary nurse at the old St Thomas Hospital, caring for geriatric patients.

She was married to Warren for 55 years and raised four children.

Her main interests were her family, knitting, cooking and gardening, in which she and her husband excelled, winning the Neyland in Bloom competition on more than three occasions.

She was pre-deceased by her son-in-law Michael three weeks previously.

Family left to mourn are: Warren (husband); Mark and Linda (son and daughter-in-law); Andrew and Michelle (son and daughter-in-law); Julie and David (daughter and son-in-law); Janet (daughter); Cerith, Steven, Evan and Owain (grandsons); Aliyah (great-granddaughter); Sandra and Roger (sister and brother-in-law); Annette and Michael (sister and brother-in-law); Tony and Ivy (brother and sister-in-law).

The funeral took place at St Clement’s Church, Neyland, followed by interment at Honeyborough Cemetery. Rev Paul Flavell officiated.

The bearers were Roger Hutchings, Michael Barrett (brothers-in-law); Simon Hutchings and Justin Barrett (nephews).

There were family flowers only, with donations in lieu for the coronary care unit, Withybush Hospital, which may be sent to Mrs M. Richards, 12 Sidney Webb Close, Neyland.

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

Mr J. Spight

Kilgetty

The death occurred at Brooklands Rest Home, Saundersfoot on February 16th of John Spight, aged 95, formerly of James Park, Kilgetty.

He had been a resident at the home for about eight years.

Originally from Neath and Port Talbot, he joined the RAF in 1931 when he was 18.

He served at home and abroad in Malta and Egypt, throughout most of the Second World War.

He served at RAF Pembroke Dock where he worked as a technician on all of the Sunderland aircraft squadrons.

He was awarded the long service and good conduct medal, the defence and war medal and a commander-in-chief’s commendation. He completed his RAF service on September 1955.

He then became a civil service civilian instructor with the RAF and worked near Blackpool and then at RAF St Athan in the Vale of Glamorgan. He retired from the civil service when he was 63.

As a young man he was a keen and accomplished sportsman, enjoying all team sports, and represented the RAF at water polo against various inter-service and county level opponents.

After retiring, he became a member of Kilgetty senior citizens club and enjoyed visiting family and friends.

He regularly attended Carew Wesley Methodist Chapel and was a member of the Carew Hall Senior Citizens Luncheon Club.

He was also a founder member of the RAFA and civil service motoring association.

He was the beloved husband of the late Joyce Spight (nee Watkins of Redberth) who died in 2003.

Family left to mourn and principal mourners are: Peter and Virginia (son and daughter-in-law); Darren and Garry (grandchildren); great-grandchildren, Hubert (brother); Maud Hicks, Hilary Watkins, Anne Watkins and Grace Spight (sisters-in-law); nieces and nephews.

The funeral was held at Carew Wesley Methodist Chapel followed by cremation at Parc Gwyn, and was officiated by Rev Alan Jenkins.

There were family flowers only with donations in lieu for the Brooklands Nursing Home, (residents fund), to E. C. Thomas and Son, Funeral Directors, Archways, Green Plains, Stepaside, who also carried out the funeral arrangements.

Dr O. B. Ryland

Saundersfoot

The death occurred on January 18th at Park House Court Nursing Home, Tenby of Dr Olga Blethyn Ryland, of Frances Road, Saundersfoot. She was 91.

Born in Milford Haven, she was educated at Cheltenham Ladies College, the Royal Free Hospital, London.

She moved back to Saundersfoot to work as a local GP, retiring from Saundersfoot Surgery.

She was a founder member of Tenby and District Soroptimist International, a member of the local WI guild of friendship and a member of St Issells Church, Saundersfoot.

Family left to mourn and principal mourners are: Richard May (nephew); Annette Gardner (niece); Sheila Curran (cousin) and a large number of friends and acquaintances.

The funeral was held at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, Narberth on January 28th and was officiated by Canon Michael Butler.

The bearers were Graham Thomas, Paul Hay, Terry Brace and Gavin Wright.

A tribute was given by long-standing friend and previous partner at Saundersfoot Medical practice Dr Denzil Stockton Jones, who spoke about her remarkable and long life, typical characteristics as an outstanding and much loved family physician and her other many interests and commitments to the community, both locally and world wide.

There were donations in lieu of flowers, if desired, for RNLI Tenby to E. C. Thomas and Son, Funeral Directors, Archways, Green Plains, Stepaside, who also carried out the funeral arrangements.