Obituaries, June 16th 2010

LLANDELOY

Family, friends and work colleagues were stunned to hear of the recent death of Helen Anne Brown, elder daughter of Meyrick and Janet Brown, Rhosgranog, Llandeloy, Haverfordwest. She was 42.

She was the sister of Angela and Lynn, aunt of Tom, Abbi, Ashley and Chloe and a grand- daughter of Dilys Thomas.

Helen was born into a loving, caring family, held in deep affection by her parents and especially adored by her younger sister.

She attended Hayscastle Primary School and, with her sister, regularly attended the Sunday School at Blaenllyn Baptist Chapel.

She progressed to St Davids county secondary school where she excelled in most subjects and successfully gained entry to read geography at Kingston University, near London coming away with an Hons. Degree.

After graduating she was employed as transport co-ordinator with Trident Services in London later moving on to carry out agricultural research at the Wye College Department of European Studies, London University.

She returned to Pembrokeshire for a period taking up a post as personal assistant to the company partners with Kimpton, Durham, John Associates, planning consultants before moving on to take up the appointment as personal assistant to the vice-principal at the Pembrokeshire College.

After some five years in this role, where she also covered the post of a faculty manager and lectured in information technology, she returned to the London area to work in executive posts with worldwide companies; firstly with BM Trada – an inter-continental firm monitoring trading standards. Then to Cisco Systems, world leaders in computer science, and later as an operational director with Polycom, industry leaders in video conferencing.

Her most recent post was back near home as marketing manager for Frio-Cool which is internationally known for its unique brand of thermal packaging.

She lived for her work and greatly enjoyed being back at Rhosgranog with her extended family, her thoroughbred horse and her pedigree dog together with her adorable nephews and nieces.

She was a fit, athletic young woman who loved the open air life, working out of doors and truly showing her fondness and care of all animals, large and small; running around the local lanes, also horse riding, dressage and walking the dog.

From an early age she was an able swimmer and, qualified in sea navigation, had loved surfing at Newgale and became a prominent and accomplished member of the Llangwm ladies rowing team. She even took up motor cycling, joining the Harley Davidson club, from which she derived a great deal of pleasure.

It could be said that, away from work, she was somewhat reserved but within she possessed a terrific sense of humour which really endeared her to family and friends.

Family, relatives, friends and work colleagues from across the UK attended the private family funeral which took place on May 15, at Bleanllyn Chapel followed by interment at Llangloffan Cemetery. Stella Evans presided at the organ.

Rev Aled Jenkins officiated at the chapel and graveside and the bearers were Paul Dale, Tudor Griffiths, Michael Price and Chris Wolsey.

The following day immediate family members attended a service of remembrance at Bleanllyn Chapel presided over by Rev Dr David Owen with Jane Francis at the organ.

At the funeral there were family flowers only but donations for the Paul Sartori Foundation are being received by David Bowen, Agriculture House, Winch Lane, Haverfordwest.

The funeral arrangements were undertaken by Paul Jenkins and Sons, Fishguard.

Mr V. Lawrence

Goodwick

The funeral took place on May 18th of Viv Lawrence, of Hillside Crescent, Goodwick who died at Withybush Hospital on May 10th.

Viv was born in County Cork in 1931 and came to live in Letterston at the age of seven. On leaving school he worked at his father’s garage, Summerdale in Letterston and also drove the ambulance which was based there. He undertook national service during which he spent time in Germany. Following this he returned to work at Summerdale before marrying his late wife, Babs, and moving on to the Trecwn Armaments Depot, followed by a career with the Automobile Association based at Fishguard Harbour, also later working on the Fishguard Rosslare Ferry.

A keen football fan, Viv played for local teams and also qualified as a referee. He followed this with work on the committee of Fishguard and Goodwick Football Club, and remained a regular and loyal supporter right up to his death. Viv was an extremely skilled and patient model maker, and he also enjoyed gardening, following the local football teams, and was a great family man. Much loved as a father and father-in-law, he will be sorely missed by all and by his grandchildren and great grandchildren all of whom he loved dearly and who will miss his loving and caring support in their lives enormously.

A large gathering attended the funeral service at the Chapel of Rest, Fishguard which was followed by interment at Llanwnda Cemetery. The service was led by Rev Roger Griffiths of Letterston. The bearers were John Lawrence, David Lawrence, Alan Dixon and Daniel Lawrence.

The mourners were: John Lawrence, David and Hayley Lawrence, Michael and Sharon Lawrence (sons and daugthers-in-law); Carol and Alan Dixon (daughter and son-in-law); Betty Thomas (sister); David and Tina Lawrence (brother and sister-in-law); grandchildren Charmaine Lawrence, Sharon Lawrence, Tracey Commins, Samantha and Steven Chapman, Benita and Danny Bealby, Daniel and Lucy Lawrence, Gemma Lawrence, Charlotte Lawrence and William Lawrence; great grandchildren Katie Commins, Jade Lawrence, Bethany Chapman, Alfie Chapman together with other members of the family and many friends too numerous to mention.

There were family flowers only with donations in lieu for the Phoenix Project c/o Paul Jenkins and Sons funeral directors, Feidr Castell, Fishguard, SA65 9BB who also carried out the funeral arrangements.

Miss R. M. James

Solva

Ruthy James died a few months off her 100th birthday. She was the eldest of eight children born to Thomas and Annie James at Treglemais. She and her family moved to Ysgeifiog two years later where she lived for the remainder of her life.

Educated at Carnhedryn and St Davids county schools, she started her career as a student teacher at St Davids county primary school followed by a period at Croesgoch.

During World War Two she taught at Henner primary school near Strumble Head and then became a headteacher for 16 years at Hendre Cross. She was later appointed as headteacher of Carnhedryn county primary where she taught until her retirement in 1973.

She was the local organiser of Yrdd Gobaith Cymru, the Welsh language youth movement, from 1943 to 1971 where she was involved with drama groups, lectures, Eisteddfodau and other cultural events.

In 1956 she served as a Justice of the Peace, a duty which she discharged with care and fairness. Her work was rewarded by an invitation to attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace in 1976. She retired from the bench in 1981.

She was the local secretary of the bible society and she raised considerable sums of money for this cause. She was also a lifelong supporter of the St Davids Council of Churches. She was also active with charities for the blind.

As an elder at Caerfarchell Calvinistic Methodist Chapel, she served as its moderator in 1994. A skilled baker, she sold many items at the sisterhood meetings on their produce stall. As a Sunday school teacher, she attended the Sunday schools’ summer courses in order to extend her skills in this area and meet her friends. Her fundraising success for the Home and Foreign Missions was legendary.

Towards her final years she became the chapel secretary, Sunday publications secretary and treasurer.

She had an interest in Welsh books and would obtain the latest volumes from the library van and discuss them with her friends.

She was also accepted as a member of the Bardic Gorsedd on account of her public work.

Her funeral was one of the largest ever witnessed at Caerfarchell Chapel, which bore witness to the contribution which she made during her long life.

Family left to mourn are: Ella, Bleddyn and Mona (brother and sisters); Huw, Elwyn, Eryl and Graham (nephews and neice); Alun James, Myrddin Reynolds, Arthur James, Leslie Williams, Dilys Nicholas, Jean Owen, Jim and Elisabeth Parsons (cousins). Unable to attend were Lloyd (brother); Rosie James, Lyn and Iris Jenkins, Trevor and Jennifer Stanbright, Lydia Reynolds, Leslie Thorne (cousins).

There was a private service at Caerfarchell Chapel before the public service the following day.

The officiating ministers were Rev Wiliam Owen, Rev Bob Morgan, Rev Emlyn Jones, Rev Wiliam Owen, Rev Aled Jenkins, Dean Johnathan Lean and Rev Carl Williams.

The bearers were Dai Davies, Gareth Price, Leslie Price and Iwan Jenkins.

Mr A. Powles

Milford Haven

The death occurred at home on May 27th of Alan Powles, of Albion Street, Milford Haven. He was 62.

Alan was a self-employed plasterer and enjoyed snooker, darts, football, in particular Tottenham Hotspur, and coin collecting.

Family left to mourn are: Sue (wife); Ruby (mother); Ian (father-in-law); Julie, Katy, Rachel, Christopher, Matthew and Anthony (children); Penny and Malcolm (sister and brother-in-law); Jackie and Barrie (sister and partner); Gerry (brother-in-law); Malcolm and Jackie (brother-in-law and sister-in-law).

The principal mourners were: Mrs S. Powles, Mrs R. Powles, Mr and Mrs M. Miller, Mrs J. Etherington and Mr B. Evans, Mr G. Clarebout, Julie and family, Katy and family, Rachel and family, Christopher and family, Matthew and family, Anthony and family, Mr I. Page, Mr and Mrs M. Page.

The service was held at North Road Baptist Church, Milford Haven on June 1 and was officiated by Rev Paul Bartlett.

The bearers were Christopher Powles, Dominic Clarebout, David Hetherington and Huw Miller.

There were immediate family flowers only, with donations in lieu for Macmillan Nurses and Paul Sartori Foundation to be sent to Mr M J Miller, 1 St Brides Way, Milford Haven, SA73 2RW.

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

Mr L. Huddy

Yate, Bristol (formerly of Neyland)

The funeral took place on May 28 of Larry Huddy, of Harescombe, Yate, Bristol, whose death occurred at Frenchay Hospital, Bristol on May 15th. He was 52.

The service and cremation took place at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, which was full to capacity. The service was led by Rev Stephen Lee. Barry Springer (close friend) and Jim McKenzie (Larry’s boss) both gave humorous and moving tributes to Larry.

Larry left Neyland at the age of 17 to join Listers engineering company. After a few years he left Listers and joined Renishaw, where he had worked for 30 years up until his death.

It was a great comfort for his family to see so many of Larry’s close friends from Bristol at the funeral to pay their last respects to a great friend, who will be sorely missed.

The principal mourners were: Sylvia (mother); Lee and Tracy (brother and sister-in-law); Sophie and Kate (nieces); Barry and Ivy (uncle and aunt); Mandy and Richard, Shane and Gary, Maxine and Nelson, Joanne and Peter, Tony and Helen (cousins) and many relatives and close friends too numerous to mention, some of whom travelled great distances to attend the funeral.

Unable to attend were Girlie and Jay, Jose and Tony (aunts and uncles); Sylvia, Carol and John (cousins) and their families.

The bearers were Barry Springer and Steve Ryan (close friends from Bristol) and Dai Lloyd and Stephen George (friends from Neyland).

There were immediate family flowers only, but donations in lieu in aid of Neyland Junior Rugby and Cancer Research may be sent to Tracy Huddy, 38 Fleming Way, Neyland, SA73 1RZ.

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

Mrs KE WATTS

HAVERFORDWEST

In the obituary for Mrs KE Watts, of Haverfordwest (formerly of Longlands Farm, Wiston) published in last week’s Western Telegraph the list of principal mourners should have read Rob and Josh (grandchildren) not Rob and John.