Obituaries
Pam Usborne: A tribute by Barnaby UsbornePam was born in India in 1916 where her father was working for the Indian Civil Service. She returned to England with her family in 1919 after the end of the war to settle near Guildford and was later sent to a Quaker boarding school in Somerset.
When she was 14 her home life was changed, and that of her family, when five Usborne cousins joined them following the death of their mother, and all 11 of them, nine teenagers, two adults and assorted retainers, moved into a large rambling house in Berkshire. The combination of the Watson family with the Usbornes shaped Pam’s life for ever. Not only was she suddenly part of a large family but she went on to marry one of her cousins, Henry, and bring up four children of her own.
When in 1950 we moved to Totterdown, a large house near Evesham in Worcestershire, she was able to offer her hospitality to all comers. And this she did. The house was always open to friends and relatives old and new. There were times when my father would without warning bring back political colleagues or people he had met on the golf course or in the street – and without fail Pam would entertain them with equanimity.
She was a great listener – attentive, always interested, discreet and seldom judgemental. She was also a good letter-writer, keeping in touch with her many friends here and abroad.
Perhaps the most lasting contribution our mother made to the family was to start the annual August Bank Holiday gathering of our wider family or ‘Camp’ as it became known. This she continued to host at Totterdown for nearly 50 years. She was unflappable, always cheerful and able to feed the multitude with endless good meals; and the sun always seemed to shine. She thus established a remarkable family bond that has kept us together, now an extended family of over 100 people. When after my father’s death in 1996 Pam joined us in Lee Common she brought ‘Camp’ with her. That extended family which she fostered for so long continues to meet for the Bank Holiday weekend each year.
Moving from Evesham was certainly a wrench, but Pam enjoyed life in Lee Common. She acquired many new friends and continued to be visited by family and old friends. Her sister-in-law, Margaret, was just across the road and Tricia and I were only five minutes away. It was wonderful for us. Her 11 grandchildren and her 13, now 14, great-grandchildren were able to see her often; and her house was full of toys and memories.
Pam was 93 when she died on 15th August, remaining in cheerful good spirits until the end. Perhaps the death certificate sums it up in an unintentional way when it records that there were two causes of death: a blood clot which had lasted for 15 minutes, and old age which lasted a mere 6 weeks. Not bad for a 93 year old.
Rex Davis: A tribute from Janet Mayberry
Rex Davis died on 11th August. He was one of the kindest and most generous people I have ever known and a true Christian.
Most people in The Lee will remember Rex as the owner of Neddy the donkey who would come to lead the church procession on Palm Sunday and, later in the year, he would come to the Church Fête and the Flower Show with the little yellow carriage in tow to provide rides for the children.
Rex and Neddy were always very busy on Palm Sunday, starting early in the morning so as to provide support at several churches beginning at Weston Turville.
Rex was a member of St Mary Magdalene Church, Great Hampden, but also came to St John the Baptist, The Lee, for Matins on the first Sunday of the month. Rex used to ring the bell until quite recently when, sadly, he became too frail.
Rex’s family have been in the area for many generations and some of his ancestors are buried in the churchyard at The Lee. His parents owned the Wren Davis dairy at Prestwood and Collings Hanger Farm which is still thriving and expanding as a family business.
Rex was quite well this time last year but sadly his health gradually deteriorated in the spring of 2009. He remained cheerful and whenever I asked him how he was, he would smile and reply “I am grateful there are still a few things I can do”. I shall always remember these words, a fine example to all of us.
Rex was nursed at home by some magnificent carers and his wonderful family who were always popping in to see him. One day they arranged for Neddy to be brought into the house so that he and Rex could see each other. It was a memorable day for both of them. Neddy attended Rex’s funeral and led the procession to the church pulling a special carriage holding Rex’s coffin. It was a very special service of thanksgiving for Rex’s life.
Rex was a very special person who gave his best to others and served the Lord with gladness all the days of his life. May God bless him and keep him safe evermore.