Obituaries, January 13th 2010

SIMPSON CROSS

The funeral of William (Bill) Thomas, of 10 Castle View, Simpson Cross, took place on December 30th at Keeston Church. He died at Morriston Hospital on December 22nd, aged 72.

He grew up at Fernleigh, North Road, Milford Haven, the eldest son of Leslie and Florence Thomas (neé Hackett) and was christened at St Katharine’s Church in 1937. He attended North Road Primary School and Milford Central Secondary School. He was a keen scholar, was head boy and was the first pupil to gain an O-level at Milford Central.

Bill joined the RAF in 1953 at age 15 and passed into the school of technical training at RAF Halton, gaining the position of corporal aircraft technician. He was also part of the RAF gymnastics display team and performed in front of the Queen in London. He was then posted to RAF St Athan to teach new apprentices.

After seven years in the RAF, Bill returned to Pembrokeshire in 1959 to work for the Western Welsh Bus Company in Haverfordwest as an auto electrician. In 1968, he joined the Gulf Oil Refinery as a process operator, and worked there for 30 years until its closure in 1998, when he retired.

Bill married Betty in 1962. They had three children; Roderick, Jayne and Andrew. They lived in Keeston before moving to Simpson Cross in 1975.

Bill enjoyed many hobbies and interests, was an avid swimmer and keen gardener. The couple joined the early birds swimmers at the old Haverfordwest swimming pool.

Bill enjoyed community activities. He loved driving, as well as fishing, DIY, boat building, motorbikes, vintage cars, new technology, and photography. He would always complete a daily crossword.

He loved his family and was proud of his grandchildren.

The principal mourners are: Betty (wife); Roderick and Sally, Andrew and Cheryl (sons and partners); Jayne and Karsten Minter (daughter and son-in-law); Claire (family friend); Sam and Joe, Celyn and Demelza and Cait (grandchildren); also close family members, friends and neighbours too numerous to mention.

The minister at the funeral service was Rev Martyn Evans, and the organist was Jeane Llewellin.

The bearers were Roderick Thomas, Andrew Thomas, Chris Simon, Marten Lewis, Karsten Minter and James Harper.

There were family flowers only. Donations for the British Heart Foundation Cymru may be sent to Dilwyn Phillips, Brooklyn, 4 Cuffern View, Simpson Cross, SA62 6EG.

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

Mrs M. E. Bethel

Canada (formerly of Milford Haven)

Margaret Edwina (Eddie) Bethel (nee Harries) died on November 24th, aged 92.

She was married to Arthur Bethel for 57 years and they had one son, John. Arthur died in 2000.

The family moved to Vancouver in 1951 from Somerset, and her main interests were her family and home.

She leaves to mourn: John and Barbara (son and wife); John, Amber and John Ethan (grandson, wife and their son) and Peter and Chelsey (grandson and partner).

Locally she is mourned by Nancy (sister); Philip and Eileen (brother and wife); Nellie (sister-in-law); together with nieces and nephews, grand nieces and nephews too numerous to mention.

She left behind a written account of her life, and she also developed her artistic talents in the form of painted china.

The last period of her life was made difficult by ill-health, and she had diminished capacity with sight and hearing.

Prior to returning to Vancouver she was able to remain in her own home thanks to her grandson John and his wife Amber, who were living with her at the time.

A celebration of Eddie’s life was held on January 9th at St Phillips Anglican Church.

Mrs L. G. Skipp

Haverfordwest

The funeral service of Gwendoline Skipp, Dew Street, Haverfordwest was held on December 22nd at St David’s and St Patrick’s Church, followed by interment at City Road Cemetery. She died aged 89.

The service was led by Father John Patrick Thomas and the bearers were John Kinder, Jeremy Brock, David Banner and Roy Moore.

Born in the family home in Dew Street, Gwen was one of the oldest residents of the street. She died at South Pembrokeshire Hospital on December 15th, following a period of ill health.

She was the youngest of nine children (including step sisters and brothers) of Annie and James Richards. Her father, a master tinsmith, died in 1924. She attended St Martin’s School with her elder sister Gladys, leaving at the age of 14.

She entered domestic service, working in Portfield and Merlins Hill prior to entering the RN Armaments Depot, Trecwn, in 1939. On leaving the depot in 1949 she worked at the County Theatre and Palace Cinemas. It was during the post war period that she met Albert, a Londoner, and they were married in 1952. They moved to London where they lived for nearly 40 years before returning to the family home in 1993. She enjoyed more than 50 years of marriage until Albert’s death in 2004.

Donations in lieu in aid of the South Pembrokeshire Hospital nurses fund can be sent to Jane Brock, Woodlands Farm, Llangwm.

Mr D. C. Bate

Hakin

The death of Derek Charles Bate (known as Winkle), of St Lawrence Avenue, Hakin, occurred at Withybush Hospital on December 5th. He was 55.

Originally from Padstow, Cornwall, he started work as an apprentice bricklayer. He moved to Milford Haven after marrying Diana in 1975, and started work as an industrial painter/blaster and sprayer. He worked all over the country even going as far as Borneo to work. He retired from his last travelling job in 2005 due to ill health.

His main interest was his family, whom he loved spending time with. He was also a lifelong Liverpool fan. Another interest was angling, fishing all around the beaches at night.

Family left to mourn and principal mourners are: Diana Bate (wife); Lorraine (daughter); Chantelle and David (daughter and future son-in-law); Scott, Spencer, Phoenix and Millie (grandchildren); Esther (sister); Rodney and Pat (brother and sister-in-law); Roger and Elaine (brother and sister-in-law); Ann and Hilliard, Robert and Marilyn, Pat, John and Pauline, Philip and Bernadette, Sonia and Peter, Isobel, Ian and Tina (brothers-in-law and sister-in-law); aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, cousins, friends and neighbours too numerous to mention.

Family and friends travelled from all over the country to attend the funeral.

A huge gathering attended the funeral at Rehoboth Church, Hakin, which was officiated by Rev Martin Evans followed by cremation at Parc Gwyn Crematorium. The bearers were Neil Simmonds, Jamie Simmonds, Craig Bambrough (nephews) and David Round (future son-in-law).

There were family flowers only, with donations for Cancer Research to Margaret Jones, 113 Waterloo Road, Hakin, Milford Haven.

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

Mrs J. James

Castlemorris

The funeral service took place on December 23rd of Jane James (Nanan), formerly of Castlemorris, who died on December 18th at Hillside Home, aged 93.

She was the wife of the late Jack; mother of the late Arwel; stepmother of the late Merddyn; and grandmother of the late Chris.

The funeral service was held at Llangloffan Chapel and was followed by interment at the chapel cemetery. The service was led by Rev Emlyn Jones, assisted by Rev Aled Jenkins and Marguerite Price.

Family left to mourn are: Joan and Alan, Rhian and Bernard (daughters and sons-in-law); Robert and Diane (son and daughter-in-law); Jill and Keith, Andrew and Sian, Nicola and Tim, Martin and Wendy, Cathy and Richard, Katy and Gareth, Debbie and Ali (grandchildren); and 15 great-grandchildren; Moira (niece); and Joy (cousin).

The bearers were Andrew, Martin, Tim, Richard, Keith, Ali and Gareth.

There were family flowers only, with donations in lieu for Hillside Home to Paul Jenkins and Sons, Feidr Castell, Fishguard, SA65 9BB, who also carried out the funeral arrangements.

Mrs M. P. Reynish

Wolfscastle

The death of Martha Perry Reynish, of Treffgarne Farm, Wolfscastle, occurred on December 24th. She was 84.

Born in Springwells, Ambleston, she was the daughter of Edgar and Winifred Evans, the eldest of four sisters.

She attended Taskers School for Girls and when she left school she looked after her two younger sisters until she married John in 1947. They farmed together at Treffgarne Farm, milking cows and raising poultry.

She was predeceased by John in May 1990. She continued to live on the farm with her younger daughter Kaye and son-in-law David who cared for her, while her eldest daughter Sylvia and family lived close by.

Her greatest joy was her family, especially her grandchildren. When she was in good health she enjoyed cooking and gardening and was a former member of Spittal WI.

She was a loyal member of Zions Hill Church where she was an organist. She also enjoyed the ladies guild.

The family left to mourn and principal mourners are: Sylvia and Noel, Kaye and David (daughters and sons-in-law); Simon, Melanie, Jonathan and Christina (grandchildren); Jean and Carwyn, Jill and Ken (sisters and brothers-in-law); and her many nieces, nephews and cousins too numerous to mention.

The funeral service was held at Zions Hill Church, Spittal and was led by Rev Martin Evans and Rev Geoffrey Eynon.

The bearers were Nigel Richard, Richard James, John Jenkins and Byron Williams.

There were family flowers only but donations for the Paul Satori Foundation or Zions Hill Church may be sent to Mr B. Williams, Daneleigh, Spittal.

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

Mrs L. E. M. Lain

Pembroke

The funeral of Lona Elizabeth Mary Lain took place on January 2nd at St Mary’s Church, Pembroke, followed by interment at Lamphey Church. She was 94 and a long term resident of Pembroke.

Lona was born in Lamphey, where her father was a farmer. The family later moved to Pembroke where she lived nearly all her life. She was head girl of Tenby County School and was also active in the Guides. Lona trained as a teacher at Stockwell College in London.

On qualifying, she took up a teaching post in Canterbury and taught there during the Second World War.

She married Bill in 1939 and when he was posted abroad she returned to Pembroke and taught at Rhoscrowther School.

After the war, Bill was stationed in Austria and Germany and Lona and her two eldest children Anthony and Philip lived there for some years. Her youngest child, Vivien, was born in Austria.

Returning from Germany, the couple set up business at 11 Main Street, Pembroke, where for many years they ran a shop and hairdressing salon.

Lona retired in 1975 and pursued her interest in gardening and painting. She was an accomplished artist in both watercolours and oils, and spent many happy hours watching and painting the birds and animals she loved.

The funeral service was led by Canon R. Jones and the principal mourners are: Anthony Lain, Philip Lain and Vivien Emment (children); and their spouses France, Debra and Hugh. She is also missed by her eight grandchildren Emma, Sarah, Richard, Tanya, Lara, Jonathan, Matthew and Selina; their respective spouses and partners Ben, Mike, Lisa, Klim and Elliot; and her 11 great grandchildren Lara, Fearne, Josh, William, Amelia, Svea, Ruby, Isabelle, Henry, Max and Alice.

There were family flowers only, with donations for Withybush Hospital to Mr G. Thomas, 34 Charles Thomas Avenue, Pembroke Dock, SA72 6UR.

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

Mrs N. Parsell

Pembroke Dock

Nesta Parcell (nee Edwards) of Imble Close, Pembroke Dock, died on December 16th. She was 83.

Nesta was born in Pembroke, and lived in Pembroke Dock after marrying Jim Parsell, of Reynalton, formerly of Haverfordwest.

Her last job was a head cook of the kitchen at Pembroke Comprehensive School, retiring in 1987.

Nesta’s main interests were her family, husband Jim and son Andrew, and her hobbies were gardening and family history.

She was a member of St John’s Church in Pembroke Dock for more than 40 years, having previously attended St Teilo’s in Pembroke Dock and St Mary’s in Pembroke, where she married Jim in 1948.

Nesta leaves to mourn: Jim (husband); Andrew (son); Olga, Dorothy, Sheila, Glenys and Jenny (sisters); their husbands Derek, Alan, John and David; plus many nephews and nieces.

The funeral took place at St John’s Church, Pembroke Dock, on December 24th, followed by interment at Llanion Cemetery.

The officiating clergy were Nigel Thomas, Rector of Pembroke Dock, Rev David Hammon, Rev Thelma Barber and Rev Martin Cox.

The bearers were Darren Kenniford, Doug Albury, Glyn Rixon and Graham Parsell.

There were family flowers only with donations for St John’s Church, Pembroke Dock, being sent to Graham Thomas, 34 Charles Thomas Avenue, Pembroke Dock, SA72 6UR.

The funeral director was E. C. Thomas and Son, Pembroke Dock.