Obituaries, June 17th 2009

Milford Haven

The death occurred at Withybush Hospital on May 20th of Gillian Mary McCarthy, of Coombes Drive, Milford Haven. She was 59.

During her working life she worked at Dyfed Laundry and latterly Elite Taxis as a radio controller.

Her main interest was her family, also her cats and she enjoyed her garden.

The family left to mourn and principal mourners are: John McCarthy (husband); Julie and Andrew Turner (daughter and son-in-law); Michael and Caroline, Ian and Rachel, Mark and Kaylee (sons and partners); Andrea and Chris (daughter and partner); Brennan, Leon, McKenzie, Finley and Mischa (grandchildren); David and Andrea Jones (brother and sister-in-law); Linda and Jonathan Hughes (sister and brother-in-law); Mary and Fred Evans (sister-in-law and brother-in-law); plus nieces and nephews too numerous to mention; Diane, Andrew, Tracey, Laura, Kelly and Andrew, Richard, Leanne, Geraint, Thomas and Bethan, Steven and Stacey.

The funeral service was held at St Katharine’s Church, followed by interment at Milford Cemetery, and was officiated by Rev John Reed.

The bearers were Michael McCarthy, Mark McCarthy, David Jones and Andrew Rhead.

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

Mr F. J. Lloyd

Pembroke Dock

The death occurred at Withybush Hospital of Frederick John Lloyd, of Laws Street, Pembroke Dock on May 7th. He was 70.

As a native of Pembroke Dock, he worked as a construction plant operator most of his working life. He retired after various short-term jobs at the refineries.

He served for six years with the Royal Engineers in Cyprus and North Africa.

His interests included being active with the REOC and the British Legion Welfare.

The family left to mourn and principal mourners were: Tracey, Sheldon and Samantha (children); Betty (companion); David, Libby, Marie, Alan, Janice, Pam and Paul (brothers and sisters); Gwyneth, Carl, Bill, Claudia Dietmar (sisters and brothers-in-law); Rosemary and Terry, Huw, Keith and Janet, Peter and family, Andrew and Olwyn, Alan, Edna and family, Tricia and Brinley (nieces, nephews, cousins and spouses).

Unable to attend were uncle Roy, cousin Roger, Gordon and Betty, June, Tim and Robin.

The service was held at St John’s Church, Pembroke Dock, followed by interment at Llanion Cemetery and was officiated by Rev Nigel Thomas.

The bearers were RE and British Legion comrades Eric Powling, David Boswell, Nigel Hissey and Kevin Jones.

There were family flowers only with donations for the Royal British Legion Welfare (Pembroke Dock Branch) c/o Mr Graham Thomas, 34 Charles Thomas Avenue, Pembroke Dock SA72 6UR.

The funeral arrangements were carried out by E. C. Thomas and Sons, Pembroke Dock.

Mrs M. E. James

Nevern

A service of thanksgiving for the life of Megan Eluned James, Carreg Goetan, Newport was held at St Brynach’s Church, Nevern on May 16th.

She had died peacefully at Withybush Hospital on May 6th at the age of 91. She was predeceased by her husband Jack in 1961.

Born the youngest daughters of Sarah Anne and David Owen, she had lived most of her life at The Lodge, Nevern, where her father has been a master tailor.

Megan became the cook at the local school until its closure. Her culinary expertise was re-directed when working in the Llwyngwair Manor and especially The Trewern Arms, where her wealth of experience was appreciated over 40 years of service.

Her faith and devotion to St Brynach’s Church was recognised with a presentation when she had to give up bell ringing in her eighties.

Rev Neil Llewellyn, assisted by Rev Eric Williams and Bishop Saunders Davies conducted the service. A reading was given by Sian Banfield and a solo sung by Ffion James. The organist was Mrs L. Phillips.

Principal mourners were: Patricia and David Evans, Sian Banfield and Sarah Mountstevens, William, Mary and Angharad Evans, Eryl Jenkins, John Evans, Peter, Sue and Alun Evans, Cerys and Paul Wolfenden, Maureen and Brian MacWilliams, Sharon Pugh, Lyn Packman, Peter and Kathy Owen, Sarah and Felix Pereira, Malcolm, Oona and Sinead Cooter, Anne Newlands, Christine and Wyn Nott, Margaret and Michael Jones, George, Menna and Ffion James, Desmond and Iona James (nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews); Herbert and Mary Davies, Lyn and Myfi Davies (cousins), and friends from as far afield as the Isle of Wight and London.

The bearers were John, Peter, Alun Evans and Malcolm Cooper.

There were family flowers only with donations in lieu to St Brynach’s bell restoration fund c/o Paul Jenkins and Sons, Feidr Castell, Fishguard SA65 9BB, who also carried out the funeral arrangements.

Mr G. G. Thomas

Pembroke Dock

The death occurred on May 15th of George Graham Thomas, of Church Street, Pembroke Dock, who died at Morriston Hospital, Swansea. He was 72.

A native of Pembroke, he served time as an apprentice with Estate Services, Pembroke Dock. He qualified as a carpenter/joiner and worked on many construction sites.

He started work with South Pembrokeshire district council in 1979 from which he retired in 1992.

He did his national service with the Royal Army medical corps and spent most of this time stationed in Cyprus.

He enjoyed swimming, fishing, boats, bird-watching and holidays abroad also watching rugby and socialising with his friends. He was a member of Pembroke and Pembroke Dock rugby clubs, RNLI, RSPB, British Legion and the Star Social Club.

The principal mourners and family left to mourn are: Iona Thomas (wife); Sara and Kevin Morgan (daughter and son-in-law); Peri Thomas and Dewi Wagstaff (daughter and partner); Kama Thomas-Williams (grandson); Valerie Thomas (sister); Megan and Peter Flegg (sister and bother-in-law); Raymond and Eryl Thomas (brothers); Sally and Dave Pendleton (sister-in-law and brother-in-law); Donna and Kerry Morgan (step-granddaughters); Jordan Phillips (step great-grandson); Lorraine and Chris, Ian and Estelle, Elaine, Christopher and Nicola, Dean, Michael, Ryan, Georgina and Andrew, Lucy and Carl (nieces and nephews); Albert and Terry, Gurfil and Joan, Gerard and Betty, Audrey and Keith, Maurice and Christine (cousins), plus many other relations and friends too numerous to mention.

The service was held at St John’s Church, Pembroke Dock followed by cremation at Parc Gwyn which was officiated by Rev Nigel Thomas.

The bearers were Benny Davies, Gareth Davies, Jason Griffiths, Neil Hallett, Mark Owen and Jason Woodward.

Donations in lieu of flowers for the Ruth James Trust Fund and the Dialysis Unit at West Wales General Hospital c/o Mr Graham Thomas, 34 Charles Thomas Avenue, Pembroke Dock SA72 6UR.

The funeral arrangements were carried out by E C Thomas and Son, Pembroke Dock.

Mrs. J. M. Lewis

Roch

Jennifer Margaret Lewis (Jennie) of St Brides View, Roch died peacefully on May 17th after a short stay in Withybush Hospital, aged 70.

She was born in Essex and spent her early life working in London as a personal assistant to Lord Wakefield, before moving to Pembrokeshire in the late 1960s.

After she married the late John Lewis (Jack) in 1971, the couple made their home in Haverfordwest, but later moved to Rosemarket in 1985 and Roch in 2000. They spent 34 happy years together before Jack died in June 2005.

Until she retired in 2004, Jennie worked as the school secretary at Mount Airey Infant School, and up until recently continued her connection with the school both as a governor and voluntary support within the classes.

Jennie enjoyed reading, socialising with friends and spending time in her garden. Her other interests include actively fund raising for Guide Dogs for the Blind and providing a loving home for retired guide dogs.

For a number of years she was also involved as secretary for both the Haverfordwest town and county youth band and the Pembrokeshire pony club.

Jennie was a devoted mum to her three daughters and a loving nanna to her three grandchildren.

The funeral was held at Ebenezer Presbyterian Church, Haverfordwest followed by cremation at Parc Gwyn Crematorium. The service was officiated by Rev. Martyn Evans.

The bearers were Gary Phillips, Colin Phillips, David Irving and Richard Pullin.

The family left to mourn and principal mourners are: daughters Catherine, Helen and Elizabeth, son-in-law Gary Phillips and grandchildren Sophie, Joe and Jack together with many close friends and neighbours.

There were family flowers only with donations if desired for Guide Dogs for the Blind to Mrs P. Phillips, 2 Greenhill Crescent, Merlins Bridge, Haverfordwest SA61 1LY.

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

Mrs. M. M. B. Challen

Pembroke

Marie Marcelle Barbara Challen (formerly Lowless) died on January 17th at Withybush Hospital.

She was was the third of four children. Their father, Major G. B. Milne, was a renowned jockey and trainer.

Her mother, Winifred Bellville Walton died when Marie was nine years old, and from then on the children were cared for by members of the family. During the 1930s, Marie attended school in Dolgellau where she excelled at sports, and she later attended college in Kent.

At the beginning of the war she met Owen Lowless and they kept in touch throughout the war despite Owen’s regiment being abroad, and they were married in 1946. Marie served in the WRAF and was posted to Belgium, and it was there that she met John Challen, her commanding officer.

After their marriage in 1946, the couple lived in Pembroke at Bush House, then at the Old Rectory, Pwllchrochan, before settling at Underdown in 1952.

She was a founder member of Pembroke Inner Wheel, taking her turn as president. She also helped to found the Pembroke youth club.

After Owen’s death in 1988 she again met John Challen who was also widowed. They were married in Cosheston in 1989, and spent 11 years at his stud farm in Australia, before returning in 2001.

She is mourned by her children Malcolm, Jennifer and Peter, daughters-in-law Diane and Honor, her grandchildren David, Sarah, Rosanna and Felicity, and by her sisters Geraldine and Heather. A service was held at St Michael’s Church, Cosheston on January 30th.

Mrs B. G. W. Rothwell

Milford Haven

The death occurred Morriston Hospital on May 17th of Betty Gwendoline Winifred Rothwell. She was 79.

Born in Milford Haven she was a housewife. In her younger days she enjoyed walking and helping in the garden.

She was a member of the Pembrokeshire Ramblers and also a member of Friends of Pembrokeshire National Park.

The family mourners were: Roy (husband); John and Raydene Thomas (brother and sister-in-law); Tracey and Natalie Thomas (niece and daughter).

Unable to attend was Simon Thomas (nephew).

The service was held at Parc Gwyn and was officiated by Rev Martyn Evans.

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

Mr P. C. Spencer

Wiston

The funeral of Penrhyn Charles Spencer (also known as Penry) took place on June 3rd at Wiston Church, followed by cremation at Parc Gwyn.

The bearers were Stephen, Kevin, Andrew, Ieuan, Daryl, Roger and the service was officiated by Rev Nick Cale.

Penry was born in Wiston where he lived for 67 years. starting work on local farms at the age of 15. From there he joined the local council and worked for 37 years until he retired.

His pride and joy where his family, and he also had a love of his garden.

The principal mourners and family left to mourn are: Jean (wife); Alan and Yvonne (son and daughter-in-law); Paul and Tasha King (stepson and wife); Paul and Annmarie (stepgrandson and partner); Ernie Spencer (brother and sister-in-law); Mr Jeffrey Spencer (brother)’ Paul, Stephen and Andrew (nephews); Susan (niece).

There were immediate family flowers only with donations in lieu to ward ten, Withybush Hospital being sent to Mrs V. Spencer, 10 Oaklands Terrace, Wiston SA62 4PR.

The funeral arrangements were carried out by Glyn Thomas.