Announcements

GLADYS DOROTHY JOAN WELLEN

It is with deep sadness, that the family of Joan must announce that she passed away peacefully at Dorchester Hospital on 26 April. She is now with her beloved Sid, who passed away last July. They spent 74 years of loving marriage together and after this short period apart are now reunited. She was much loved and is sorely missed by her daughters, grandsons, and great-grandsons. Donations if desired in memory of Joan are being invited for Royal National Institute of Blind People, c/o Colin Close Funeral Directors.

ANN DICK

Passed away on 26th March, after a short illness, aged 85 years. Wife of the late Eric Dick, beloved mother, grandma and greatgrandma. She was a kind and generous person who will be greatly missed by everyone that knew her. A private funeral has taken place, due to the covid-19 restrictions. Donations, if desired, cheques made payable to The Royal Air Forces Association Sturminster Newton Branch, and sent to RAF Association Headquarters, Atlas House, 41 Wembley Road, Leicester LE13 1UT or online at rafa.co.uk

JEANIE MOULD (NEE BURT]

Sadly passed away at home on April 22nd. She will be sadly missed by all family and friends and everyone who knew her. Funeral to take place at St John’s, Tisbury on Monday, May 17 at 2.30pm. Due to covid restrictions family flowers only please. Jeans Funeral will pass down Tisbury High Street on route to the church if anybody wishes to pay their respects, any donations to Marie Curie Cancer Care via Chris White Funerals 12 South St. Wilton, SP2.

GILLIAN MARY PEARCE

Formerly of Trent - Passed away peacefully on April 28th aged 89 after a short illness. Loving wife to the late Michael Pearce, mother to Sally and John and grandmother to Hannah – loved by many friends and will be missed by all. HANDLEY TREVOR GORDON (TREV)

Aged 69 years of Wincanton. On 26th April 2021, peacefully at his home. A much loved husband, dad, step dad, grandad, brother, uncle and friend. Private cremation. Donations in memory of Trevor are being invited for St Margaret’s Hospice, Yeovil. C/O Harold F. Miles, Funeral Director, South Cadbury, BA22 7ES. Telephone. (01963) 440367.

RON COOPER

Passed away peacefully at home on 24th April, aged 97 years of Winterborne Whitechurch, previously of East Devon, Caernarfon and Shooters Hill, London. Loving husband and father, dear brother and a treasured grandad and great grandad. He will be sadly missed by all his family and many friends. A private funeral service will be held at Poole Crematorium on the 20th May. Family flowers welcome or donations if desired to Macular Society c/o Lesley Shand Funeral Service, 28 East Street, Blandford Forum DT11 7DR Tel: 01258 453425 or online funeraldirector.co.uk/ronald-cooper

BRIDGET JUPP

On 8th February 2021 peacefully in Salisbury District Hospital aged 74 years of Tisbury. A thanksgiving service takes place at St John's Church, Tisbury on Wednesday, May 19 at 11.30am, adhering to social distance regulations. All enquiries to Merefield & Henstridge Funeral Directors, Ridgemount, Pitts Lane, West Melbury, Shaftesbury, Dorset. SP7 0BU. Tel: 01747 853532

PETER JACKSON FUNERAL SERVICES

Independent Family Owned and Run Funeral Directors Private Chapels of Rest • 24 Hour Service • Golden Charter Pre Paid Funeral Plans Henstridge (01963) 362570

Mons, High Street, Henstridge, Somerset BA8 0RB Gillingham (01747) 833757

Harwood House, Newbury, Gillingham SP8 4QJ

pjfs@btinternet.com www.peterjacksonfuneralservices.co.uk

MARGUERITE BREMNER/ HALL

Passed away peacefully on 4th May 2021 aged 99 years old. Much loved mother, grandmother, great grandmother and sister. She will be very sadly missed by all of her family and friends. The funeral service will be held at Yeovil Crematorium on 2nd June 2021. Please note, attendance of funeral services has been restricted, if you wish to attend, please confirm with the family before attending. Please do not send flowers. If desired, donations can be made at Greyhound Trust and Royal British Legion. All enquiries to Co-operative Funeralcare, 2 High Stress, Gillingham, Dorset, SP8 4QT. Telephone 01747 824738.

ANTHONY MERVYN PHILLIPS (TONY)

Passed away peacefully in Blandford Community Hospital on 23rd April 2021, aged 83. Donations to chosen charities and tributes can be left via Colin J Close Funeral Service at closefuneral.co.uk

DEATHS

VERA TAYLOR

On the 7th May 2021, peacefully in Yeovil District Hospital. Vera aged 94 years of Marnhull. Much loved and missed by all her family. Funeral service at St Gregory’s Church, Marnhull on Wednesday, 26th May at 12 noon. Family flowers only please, Donations if desired for Dementia UK. C/o Peter Jackson Funeral Services, Mons, High St, Henstridge, BA8 0RB. Tel: 01963 362570.

PARFITT MICHAEL WILLIAM

Aged 78 years of Wincanton. On 5th May 2021, peacefully at Wincanton Community Hospital. A much loved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. Private funeral. Donations in memory of Michael are being invited for St Margaret’s Hospice, Yeovil. C/O Harold F. Miles, Funeral Director, South Cadbury, BA22 7ES. Telephone (01963) 440367.

WILLIAM GEORGE MARKLEW

On the 6th May 2021, peacefully at home. Bill aged 82 years of Gillingham. A dearly loved husband, father, stepfather, grandfather, great grandfather & brother who will be sadly missed. Private funeral service. Donations if desired for Diabetes UK. C/o Peter Jackson Funeral Services, Harwood House, Newbury, Gillingham, SP8 4QJ. Tel: 01747 833757.

WALKER ERNEST JAMES (JOHN)

aged 104 years, died 30th April peacefully at Hill House Care Home. Beloved husband of the late Stella, father of Tony, Roger and Richard & Lynne, Dearly loved grandpa of Katherine, Christopher, Patrick, Antonia, & Daniel Walker; Stephen Walker, Lindsay Poole; Charlotte Coleman, Brenna & Alika Price-Walker; Funeral enquiries to Matthews Independent Funeral Directors, 01666822216, Enquiries@matthewsofmalmesbury.com

COOPER MARY VIOLET

Peacefully on 26th April 2021 at The Old Vicarage Care Home in Leigh, Sherborne, aged 88 years of Marnhull. Beloved wife of the late Roy. Much loved sister, auntie and friend. Private interment due to restrictions. All enquiries to Bracher Brothers, Gillingham. Tel. 01747 822494

BELGIN PHYLLIS CAROL ANN (FORMERLY MILLIGAN)

Peacefully at home on 29th April 2021, with family by her side, aged 80 years, of Gillingham. A wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and friend. Private cremation due to restrictions. Donations, if desired in memory of Phyllis, may be sent directly to: Parkinson's UK, 215 Vauxhall Bridge Rd, London SW1V 1EJ

ELIZABETH TIMMS

Passed away on 29th April 2021 in Riverside Nursing Home, Sherborne aged 79 years of Melbury Abbas. Mum to Karen and Kev and Nan to Dan, J and Em. Much loved and sadly missed. Private funeral service but donations if desired to The Stars Appeal, Salisbury District Hospital may be sent to Merefield & Henstridge Funeral Directors, Ridgemount, Pitts Lane, West Melbury, Shaftesbury, Dorset. SP7 0BU. Tel: 01747 853532

Q&A

Funeral celebrant Juli

Moranof Soulshine Ceremonies Why did you become a funeral celebrant? It was a friend’s idea. She encouraged me and I’m glad I listened to her. How long have you been a celebrant? 9 years What is the best part of your job?

ELIZABETH HUDSON

Passed peacefully away on the 3rd May 2021, with her son Nicholas at her side. Funeral service at St Mary’s Church, Templecombe on Monday, 17th May at 11.30am. Family flowers only please, donations if desired for PCC Templecombe. C/o Peter Jackson Funeral Services. Mons, High St, Henstridge, BA8 0RB. Tel: 01963 362570.

Family Run Caring & Ecient • Private Chapels of Rest Personal Day & Night Service “Golden Charter” Pre-paid Funeral Plans available Memorials in Stone Marble & Granite, etc. Shaftesbury (01747) 853532 imere昀eld@aol.com Gillingham (01747) 835335 www.mhfd.co.uk “Ridgemount”, Pitts Lane, West Melbury, Shaftesbury, Dorset. SP7 0BU

Meeting people from all walks of life What’s the hardest part of your job? When I take a service for someone I know. I took my Dad’s funeral. I did it, but ‘Ouch’. What is the most unusual request you have had? To sing ‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Star’ at the funeral of a baby. Everyone joined in. It was very moving… How are funerals changing? They are more about a celebration of a life and focusing on how they lived, not how they died. If you were not a celebrant, what would you be? A nurse How has the pandemic affected funerals? Everyone in the funeral profession has had to adapt and learn new ways to cope. I am proud to be part of this front line service. What is your favourite reading or music? ‘What a wonderful world’ sung by Eva Cassidy What would your epitaph be? Thank You enquiries@soulshineceremonies.c o.uk/ 07902 008055

Funeral services

FUNERAL CELEBRANT

Juli Moran

I write and conduct a service that reflects the life of your loved one with respect, honour and integrity. A funeral can reflect the life and character of the person who has died. A celebration of their life as well as mourning the loss. Warmth, empathy and experience you can rely on soulshineceremonies.co.uk 0790 200 8055

A J Wakely& Sons

Independent Family Funeral Directors

Choice of Hearses available including our Land Rover Hearse – 24 Hour Service –Sherborne Tel: 01935 816817 Wincanton Tel: 01963 31310

Pre-payment plans available

Please contact Richard Wakely, or a member of our dedicated team for any advice or guidance.

HELPING YOU EVERY STEP OF THE WAY

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BRACHER BROTHERS FUNERAL DIRECTORS Newbury, Gillingham SP8 4QL Tel: 01747 822494 Newell, Sherborne DT9 4EZ Tel: 01935 813479

Available 24 hours a day. Find us at: dignityfunerals.co.uk/local Fully guaranteed, inflation-proof, pre-paid funeral plans Free bereavement care Available 24 hours a day/ 7 days week

GILLINGHAM

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STURMINSTER NEWTON

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DEATHS

MILEHAM SYLVIA HEATHER

Passed away peacefully at Yeovil Hospital on the 17th April, aged 80 years. Much loved wife of the late Charles Mileham, mother to David and Dianne, grandmother and great grandmother. She will be sadly missed by all who knew her. Donations in memory of Sylvia for Yeovil Hospital Charity, may be sent c/o Clive Wakely A.J. Wakely & Sons 16 Newland Sherborne DT9 3JQ.

HEALEY CYNTHIA DOROTHY

Passed away peacefully at home on 2nd May 2021, aged 98 years. Much loved Mum of Mark and Jane and Mother in Law of Denise and Tony. Loving Nanny of Maggi, Jo, Claire, Adam, Sophie and Ellie. Loving Great Nanny of Beth, Abbie, Megan, Jessica, Evie, Lottie and Poppy. She will be very sadly missed by all of her family and many friends. The private funeral service will be held at Yeovil Crematorium. Mark, Denise and family would like to thank the doctors and district nurses at The Blackmore Vale Partnership and the emergency ambulance crews who all helped take care of Mum. Please do not send flowers. If desired, donations in memory of Cynthia can be made at funeralcare.co.uk/tributes-and-donations or by cheque made payable to: Alzheimer’s Society c/o The Co-operative Funeralcare, Greenacre House, Salisbury Road, Shaftesbury, Dorset, SP7 8BS

MUGGLETON MARJORY ALICE

Beloved wife of late Peter who sadly passed away on 26th April aged 98 years. Donations, if desired, in Marjory's memory via mariecurie.org.uk All enquiries c/o Bracher Brothers Tel: 01935 813479

DREWETT JOHN

Aged 92 years of Castle Cary. On 30th April 2021, peacefully at his home. A much loved father and grandfather. Private funeral. Donations in memory of John are being invited for Children’s Society. C/O Harold F. Miles, Funeral Directors, South Cadbury, BA22 7ES. Telephone. (01963) 440367.

Bob lived life to the full

OBITUARY

A Marnhull optometrist who represented Britain at the Commonwealth Games has died aged 76. Robert Frith’s family has paid tribute to ‘A wonderful family man and successful businessman, a man of great humour, integrity and loyalty’, after ‘his sudden and untimely death’. They added: “Robert had an enormous passion for life and lived life to the full until his last breath.” Robert was born in Whitton, Middlesex when the first doodlebugs fell in June 1944. With his parents George and Doris and older brothers, Brian and Michael, he grew up in Twickenham, attending Chiswick Grammar School and studying Optometry at City University, London. At an early age, Robert (or Bob as he was known), demonstrated a prowess on the athletics track. He became an active member of Kingston ‘Poly’ Harriers and went on to represent his country in the 100-metre sprint and relay at the 1966 Commonwealth Games in Jamaica. His many accolades included a 60m silver medal at the 1968 European Games in Madrid and the Bronze in 1969 in Belgrade. He held the world record for 50m and was four times National AAA champion over 60m. While at university he met Christine, a nurse. They lived in Twickenham, where he opened his first independent optical practice with mum Doris as receptionist. While in Twickenham Robert and Christine’s three children were born, Adam, Zara and Abigail. In 1977 the family relocated to Marnhull, and in 1981 Robert opened his practice at Gold Hill in Shaftesbury. There are now 12 Frith Opticians. Robert was a man of many talents and interests. When visiting his daughter Abbi in South Africa, he started a hobby creating homemade wine then developed a guava orchard into a vineyard. He produced award-winning wine, with gold at The London International Wine Fair and 5 stars in Platter’s South African Wine Guide. He spent much of his spare time in his garden, growing beautiful roses and plentiful fruit and veg. He was a renowned exhibitor at both the Marnhull and Shaftesbury and Gillingham Shows, with many cups and awards. Latterly he proudly supported the Shaftesbury and Gillingham Show as a wine judge. After his successful athletics career Robert dusted down his running shoes and from 2003 – 2005 he completed three marathons, two in London and New York, achieving a personal best in 4h 41 at the 2005 London marathon. His brilliant effort raised an incredible £20,000 for sight related charities. Robert lost Christine to cancer in 2009 after 40 years of happy marriage. He later found happiness again with his partner Sue. Robert is survived by his three children, seven grandchildren Sue and her daughter Sophia. His family said: “Robert will be sadly missed by his family and all who knew him, professionally and personally. He was a force of life that will never be recovered. “Following his sudden death Robert’s wish to donate organs has been respected and, as was fitting for someone whose professional life was all about improving and aiding eyesight, his corneas have been donated so that someone else can see. A fitting tribute to a man who always did whatever he could to help and support others.” Robert’s funeral will be held at St Gregory’s Church, Marnhull on Friday 21st May at midday. Anyone wishing to remember Robert is welcome to be present outside in the church grounds and locality. Family flowers only, donations to bit.ly/robertbench.