Mrs A James

Milford Haven

MRS Avril James of Fort Rise, Milford Haven passed away peacefully on April 26 aged 81.

Avril was from Whitland in Carmarthenshire and was very proud of her Welsh speaking roots.

She was born the youngest of four children to Mark and Mary Bennett.

She attended Whitland Grammar School, and on leaving school Avril worked first at the Post Office, followed by the Whitland branch of Lloyds Bank.

She first met George James when he was on leave from the forces, and they married in 1959.

George joined the family butchery and farming business, and Avril moved to Milford Haven with him while still in her early 20s, she built her adult life and family in Pembrokeshire where she was known and loved throughout the community.

They had two children Mark and Anna, her children were her great joy, as subsequently, were her grandchildren.

Avril was not only a fine home builder and housewife but also a businesswoman.

She was a sales director of Dyfed Cleaning Services and company secretary of James Brothers Ltd.

Her straightforward and personable manner was well liked by customers old and new.

She also turned her hand to running bed and breakfast accommodation at her then home, Ripperston Farm, St Bride’s.

Avril was a member of Milford Haven Ladies Circle and a founder member of the Milford Haven Tangent Club.

Avril knew the meaning of true Welsh hospitality. Parties at her home were legendary. She had a fine singing voice and for many years was a member of the community at St Bride’s Church, St. Bride’s Bay.

Her own family, the Bennett’s, were musical and sing-songs around the piano with her brothers Ken, John and sister, Betty were a feature of family celebrations.

George and Avril celebrated their golden wedding anniversary nearly a decade ago, and celebrated their joint 80th birthdays only last year in Tenby.

The family are eternally grateful to Doctors Grubb, Bartlett and Kundu and all the staff of the Chemotherapy Day Unit and Ward 10 for the excellent care she has received.

Avril’s list of friends and contacts was vast, and she will be remembered as one who brought happiness to everyone, demonstrated by the large attendance at her funeral.

She leaves to mourn her husband George; son Mark and wife Alison; daughter Anna Richardson and husband Peter and grandchildren Ben and Mollie and a devoted terrier, Toby.

The bearers were Jon James, Julian Elford, Barry Thynne and Llewellyn Williams.

The funeral service was officiated with dignity by Father Harri Williams.

Donations in lieu of flowers for Withybush Chemotherapy Day Unit are being received by Mark James, Sunnyhill, Castle Pill Road, Milford Haven.

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

Mrs A Rich

St Florence

THE funeral of Mrs Anita Rich took place on Thursday May 3 at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, Narberth.

The service to celebrate her life was conducted by Revd. Alex Grace.

Aged 85, Anita passed away peacefully at Park House Court Nursing Home on April 19.

Born in Andover, Hampshire she was the beloved only child of Marjorie and Charles Bull.

She lived in that region throughout her childhood.

She excelled academically and her interest in medical science secured her first job in a Pathology Lab.

She met her late husband Paul and his career in the nuclear and oil industry took them from Cumbria to Trinidad, before returning to Britain to live in Reading and then finally to settle in Pembrokeshire.

With her husband’s career established in the Pembroke Oil Refinery, Anita and their young family put down roots in St. Florence.

They bought a field and built their family home “Tenter How” then later, their retirement home “The Burgage “ on the same plot.

Anita was an active and energetic mum. She sailed, kayaked and loved walking and cycling, activities she continued into her late 70’s, early 80’s.

She and Paul were adventurous and they travelled extensively all over the world. She was an avid reader and skilled in tapestry and knitting.

To the delight of her family, she was a very accomplished cook and baker.

She was a stalwart member of St. Florence WI and enjoyed involvement in village life. She was an enthusiastic member of Tenby WRVS and later became a lead volunteer in the Haverfordwest Samaritans, where her ability to listen without judgement to those in need was appreciated by many. She was a strong character and not easily daunted by some of the challenging issues she faced.

Anita leaves to mourn her loving family Stephen, his wife Beth and grandchildren Tom and Wil; Fiona, her husband Martin and grandchildren Christopher and his fiancée Lucy, Richard, Bronwen and Jac; Iain, his wife Helen and grandchildren Lewys and Angharad and her husband Joe.

She had a large group of friends and will be sadly missed by the many who knew her.

Donations in memory of Anita, if so desired, may be made to the Samaritans c/o E.C. Thomas and Son, Funeral Directors, Zoar Chapel Funeral Home, Llanteg, SA67 8QH and 21, Main Street, Pembroke SA71 4JS, who also carried out the funeral arrangements.

Mr J S Calder

Milford Haven

MR John Scambler Calder (affectionately known as Jock) of Coombs Drive, Milford Haven passed away at Withybush Hospital on April 9 aged 87 years.

Originally from Auchendinny, Penicuik, Scotland. He was the middle of three brothers. He left school aged 15 to work on the munitions boats where he eventually met and married Margaret.

They had three children Pat, Anne and Andrew.

After moving back to Milford Haven in 1960s, he started working at Cynheidre Colliery sinking shafts eventually leaving to work on the tugs on the Haven working his way up to tug master until he retired.

His main interests were his family, model boats and railways and his garden.

The family left to mourn are Pat and Eric (daughter and son-in-law); Anne and Wayne (daughter and son-in-law); Andrew and Tracy (son and partner); Lindsay (granddaughter); Gary and Claire (grandson and wife); Nicola and Hunter (granddaughter and great grandson); Claire (granddaughter) and family and friends too numerous to mention.

The funeral arrangements were carried out by Tom Newing and Sons, Hamilton Court Funeral Home, Dartmouth Street, Milford Haven. Donations in lieu of flowers to the British Heart Foundation, Lyndon Place 2096 Coventry Road, Sheldon, Birmingham B26 3YU.

Mrs J Greenslade

Hundleton

MRS Joan Greenslade passed away at Apley Lodge, Pembroke Dock on April 16.

She was 93.

She was born in Pembroke, and lived in India Row, Monkton and also Slade Cottage in Hundleton.

She worked at Woolworths in Pembroke Dock before the war.

She was then called up for war duty, went to High Wycombe and worked in the EKCO factory, making radios for war planes, she did this for the duration of the war.

When she came back to Pembroke she worked at Simons in Pembroke.

In 1949 she married Harold Greenslade of Hundleton, who died in 1994, they settled in Orange Gardens for a short while before moving to Hundleton, where she lived for the rest of her life.

She was a regular member of Hundleton Mothers Union and WI, until the onset of ill health.

She was also a member of Pembroke RFC ladies committee for a number of years.

She liked travelling around the local area playing whist.

She leaves her only son David, three grandchildren, Jonathan, Marc and Laura and two great-granddaughters, Jessi and Maya.

The principal mourners were David and Elizabeth Greenslade (son and daughter-in-law); Jonathan and Nikki (grandson and wife), Laura and Sam (granddaughter and husband); William Thomas and Jean Thomas (brother and wife); Mrs Carol Hodson and family; Robert and Phyllis Brierley; Elizabeth Bettis; Ann Bettis and many friends of the family.

Unable to attend were Marc Greenslade (grandson) serving overseas; Jessi Greenslade (great granddaughter) and Maya Irwin (great granddaughter).

The bearers were Geoffrey Cole, Martin Lewis, Michael Mcnally and Michael Price.

The funeral took place at St Davids Church, Hundleton on April 25.

The funeral arrangements were carried out by John Roberts and Son, of Pembroke Dock.

Mr R V L Luke

Efailwen

A LARGE number of family and friends joined together on April 9 at Llandeilo Chapel to celebrate the life of Raymond Victor Lloyd Luke who passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on March 30 at Withybush Hospital, aged 71.

Raymond, the eldest son of the late Bronwydd and Olive Luke, was born in Maenpica, Efailwen.

Raymond attended Pantycaws School and Ysgol Y Preseli and after leaving school worked on various farms in the locality and was a well known character in the community.

He leaves to mourn his wife of 52 years Morwenna and Graham and Wendy (son and daughter-in-law); Eirian (daughter); Christine and Nigel (daughter and son-in-law); Sam and Nia, Caitlin and William (grandchildren); Margaret (sister); David and Carole, Tom and Alison (brothers and sisters-in-law); Doreen and Brian (sister and brother-in-law) and numerous nephews, nieces and cousins.

The bearers at the house were family members and the bearers at the chapel were Glyn Phillips, John and Jeff Wheeler, Dylan Phillips, Stephen Jones and Dewi Davies (friends).

The funeral service was officiated by Rev Ken Thomas assisted by Rev Guto Llewellyn and Rev Chris Rees.

There were family flowers only.

Donations if desired to Respiratory Unit at Withybush Hospital c/o Dennis Jones, Maesywelon, Efailwen SA66 7UX who also carried out the funeral arrangements with compassion and dignity.

Mrs D Francis

Cefneithin, Crosshands

Formerly of Pembrokeshire

MRS Dorothy Elizabeth Francis peacefully passed away on April 28 at home at the age of 72.

Dorothy was born in Treffgarne Owen and loved working on the family farms. She also spent 13 years working at Bookers in Withybush, Haverfordwest.

Dorothy was a hardworking and caring lady who loved all.

She spent the later time of her life in Crosshands, Carmarthenshire.

Dorothy will be greatly missed and leaves to mourn her devoted husband Colin of 30 years, six stepchildren, grandchildren, great grandchildren, brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews, plus many friends.

A lovely family service was held at her home followed by a beautiful public service at Llanelli Crematorium officiated by Reverend Victoria Jones.

The bearers were Colin Francis (Junior); Michael Murphy, Matthew Sergeant, Simon Insell, Dean Edwards and Adrian Sargeant.

The funeral arrangements were carried out with compassion by Mr Wyn Bishop of Waunddewi, 43 Crosshands.

There were family flowers only, but donations were received towards Marie Curie c/o Wyn Bishop Waunddewi,43 Crosshands Road, Gorslas, Llanelli SA14 6RR.