St Monica

In future notices of deaths, funeral arrangements and obituaries will be placed under the general heading Obituaries. Please feel free to write to the Webmaster with any memories of people mentioned if you are happy for these to be published on the website.

Jane Bloxsome

Jane was in Anderson House and loved her time at SMS, leaving in 1963 to attend Eastbourne College of Food and Fashion - commonly known as Rannie’s, a sort of finishing school where she learned to cook brilliantly, amongst many other things.

She married John Pearl, a farmer in Essex and as a very competent and fearless horsewoman set up a cross-country riding course on the farm. She also enjoyed hunting and was often to be seen leading the field over the hedges! Living in Essex she kept in touch with old school friends and was a member of SMOGA.

Sadly John died so Jane sold the farm and moved to Fyfield in Essex, later meeting Simon who was from the West Country. Although It was soon after that Jane became ill, they did marry during Covid lockdown.

Despite the many set backs she experienced I never once saw Jane without a smile on her face.

Thank you to Brenda Walker (Frost) who having attended the funeral, kindly wrote this for our website and if anyone else would like to send in their memories of Jane, please get in touch.

Pam Priscott info@stmonicasoga.co.uk

Hildegard Nash nee Sachs

I am sorry to very belatedly announce the death of Hildegard Nash (nee Sachs) who attended St Monicas from 1938 to 1942.

Hildegard came to the school after leaving Vienna via Prague as a refugee. She recounted her memories in a post MEMORIES OF SCHOOLDAYS IN THE 1940s which you can find in the Archived News section.

Hildegard passed away in April 2018 at the age of 93, just a few weeks short of her 70th wedding anniversary. Her husband Harry, passed away last February at 95 years.

Anne Ellingham (nee Lambert)

Jenny Stevenson says: It is great sadness that I write to inform you of the death of my mother, Anne Ellingham (nee Lambert). My two sisters and I are unsure of the exact dates she attended St Monica's, but she was part of the evacuation to Chagford in Devon.

Anne enjoyed receiving her copies of the St Monica's School Old Girls' Association newsletters. She died earlier this month [March 2021], aged 89.

Veronica Susan Rogerson was born April 22, 1934 and died suddenly and peacefully in hospital in Gloucester on January 17, 2021.

Although christened with the first name of Veronica, she was known by everyone as Susan.

Susan attended St Monica’s School in Clacton and in 1942 was evacuated to Chagford, in Devon. This was a place she would form a very fond bond with and is where her ashes will be scattered. She loved the Devon countryside, often exploring either on foot or on horseback.

After she had finished her education, she became a dental nurse working for three dentists in Dagenham, Romford and Manor Park. It was while at Manor Park that she met Tore Fauske, who had recently come over from Norway.

They married, and in June 1963 Christopher was born, followed by Roger in 1964. They lived in Chelmsford, until 1974, a close-knit family with her parents and sister’s family both a short drive away.

She and her sons spent many summers on West Mersea, joined by Tore on the weekends and holidays, where her parents had a cottage and a beach hut.

The family moved to Gloucestershire after that, living at Brimscombe and then Eastcombe.

Following a divorce, Susan lived in South Cerney before settling back in the Eastcombe/Chalford area among friends. She travelled a lot in later years, going several times to the States, to South Africa to see old friends from school, and regularly travelling on the Continent. She also travelled great distances in this country to visit her friends. She was very busy.

As well as Dartmoor and West Mersea, Susan enjoyed long walks on Minchinhampton Common or along the valley bottom of Eastcombe, often accompanied by Rags, a lurcher she had rescued and given a wonderful second life to.

Jennifer Bald, daughter of one of St Monica’s Old Girls from the Second World War evacuation era at Chagford, Devon writes:

I am sorry to have to report that Yvonne White (nee Perring) died peacefully on 27th December 2020, with her son, Ralph, by her side, just one week past her 90th birthday.

She had spent the last two years of her life in a care home in Torquay, after suffering a stoke which left her paralysed down the right hand side of her body. She fell from her wheelchair and broke her leg and during the recovery period developed an infection which unfortunately the antibiotics could not fight. We had a beautiful church service on 11th January 2021 at St Luke’s, Torquay where she had worshipped for over 30 years.

Mum was because she was a day girl, travelling to school on the bus (and feeling travel sick every day) from the neighbouring village of Mortonhampstead. She had passed the 11+ exam, but her parents felt that her older sister’s experience with ‘rowdy’ boys on the train to Newton Abbot Grammar School, was not something they wanted to repeat with Yvonne... hence enrolment at St Monica’s.

Mum enjoyed learning and even kept her old school exercise books from the early 1940s which I have - French, Mathematics, Scripture, Geography, etc. With her mother ill with TB at Hawkmoor Sanitorium near Bovey Tracey, Mum had to leave school at 15 to run the family home, so dashing her hopes of becoming a schoolteacher (though I did become a Secondary School teacher). When she married at the age of 29, she moved to Torquay and became a hotelier. In later years she took up tennis and golf, French polishing furniture, calligraphy and jam making. She volunteered with the Samaritans, the National Trust, a Cancer charity shop and the local hospice. She loved Birman cats, quizzes, Big Band Swing music and was a ‘true blue’ Tory till the end.

We were sorry to hear of the death of Sue Bilmes (nee Garner) on 1st January 2021. Sue was in Anderson House from 1960 to 1966. She had attended many SMOGA reunions (until ill health in the last few years prevented this) but she enjoyed contact with her many friends from school days. Sue was always interested in literature and worked in publishing before she and Anthony had their three boys. When the boys were at school she took a first degree in Modern Arts at Kingston and then a master’s degree in English at Goldsmith’s, followed by teacher’s training and a career in infant teaching. While teaching in Kingston upon Thames she came across Jane Seeley (nee Bushell) in the staff room. They recognised each other and became good friends and Jane had been in touch with Sue quite recently.

Pam Priscott (nee Saunders) met Sue at St Monica’s and established a lifelong friendship. In recent times lunches in London, gallery visits, walking round the gardens at the RHS Wisley, and visiting National Trust properties provided a way for them and her other friends from Anderson days to keep in touch, and she will be sadly missed by them and by Anthony, Alex, Nick and Christopher.

It is with deep regret we announce the death of June on 1st October, 2020 at the age of 74. She had been well cared for in Kingston Hospital for a while and died quite suddenly of cancer. The funeral was held on 14th October and could only be attended by family and close friends. She will be sadly missed by her husband, three children and seven grandchildren, and her many friends. Our sympathy and condolences go to all concerned.

It is with deep regret that we report the death of Kay on Saturday 15th August, 2020 at the age of 89. There has been a private burial with a memorial celebration to follow later. She was School Captain and Head of Cavell House and left the school in1949.

Sue Youngs says: "Kay lived in Chagford for many years and I was delighted to visit her some years ago and enjoy tea and delicious chocolate cake in her garden. Luckily she was friends with the owner of Holystreet Manor, which was on the market at the time, and arranged to take me round for a most interesting visit. She will be sorely missed by her husband, family and many friends."

We are sorry to give very late notice of the passing of Kathleen Mathieson on 26th September 2018 at the great age of 90. She was a keen supporter of St. Monica’s Old Girls' Association, having been at the school throughout the war, ending as head girl. After leaving school in 1945, she went to Bedford College, London, where she read Geography. She then went to the London Institute of Education, qualifying as a teacher in 1946. She spent her probationary year at St Paul’s Girls School in London and then went on to Woodford High School, where she taught until her marriage in 1952.

Kathleen and her husband were always keen travellers and in 1967 bought a flat in Mallorca, initially as somewhere to spend school summer holidays. In 1981 they swapped the flat for an old Mallorcan “finca”, which they totally rebuilt, finally moving there full-time in 2007. Her daughter, Patricia, reports that sadly, by then her mother was beginning to develop dementia, which was finally diagnosed in 2012. Happily she was able to keep her at home for the entire duration of her illness, thanks to a team of excellent carers. The Association sends belated condolences to all the family.

We are sorry to report the death of Margaret on 18th May 2019. She left school in 1953 and was a member of Cavell House. We send condolences to her husband and four grown up children and two sisters. The funeral was very well attended and she will be much missed by her family and all her many friends.

Rachel Mary Neal nee Giles

We are sorry to announce the death on Boxing Day 2018 of Rachel Neal, known as Mary Giles at school. She was in Slessor House and left St. Monica's in 1945.

She enjoyed a small party for her 90th birthday in July this year but became increasingly unwell in October and was in hospital thereafter.

She is survived by her son, Richard Elliott and her grandchildren Mary and Thomas. Our condolences go to the family.

(Ed: Our apologies for the late posting of this notice.)

Mrs Primrose Baldwin

We are very sorry to announce the death of Mrs. Primrose Baldwin, fondly known as Polly, on 5th January 2018. She died at home at the great age of 102. She is held in great regard and affection by many St Monica’s Old Girls to whom she taught History and will be greatly missed by all her family and friends.

There is a Service of Celebration at 2 pm on 13th February at All Saints Church, Dovercourt followed by the wake at Tower Hotel, Dovercourt. Anyone wishing for further details should contact Joy Sang, the newsletter editor.

Marie Barraclough nee Vigne

We regret to announce the death of Anne Marie Barraclough nee Vigne on 28th October 2017. There was a Service of Thanksgiving on 4th December in Chelmsford. Anne Marie left St. Monica’s in 1947 and was one of the few women in the 1940s to attain a place at Oxford University reading Maths.

She will be sadly missed by all her family and friends.

Janet Wallace nee Capon

We regret to announce the death of Janet Wallace nee Capon who died on 14th December 2017. She will be very much missed by all who knew her.

We are sorry to pass on the sad news of the death of Elizabeth Wild. She died in St Helena Hospice, Colchester on 13th April 2016. Elizabeth was a faithful member of SMOGA and attended many reunions. We apologise for the late posting of this information and send condolences to her friends and family.

Jacqueline King nee Young

We are sorry to belatedly announce the death of Jacqueline King nee
Young. Jacquie died on 23rd November 2013. There are still many of us who remember a good and loyal friend. Jacquie had spent the war years at Alma College, Ontario, Canada and when she returned to England she joined Saint Monica's in the summer of 1945. She became a member of Slessor House where she was immediately called "Cans" for obvious reasons (the accent she had acquired in her wartime home) - a name she took in her stride. She always had a great sense of humour and at the same time was a reliable member of the school, becoming Head of Slessor and Head Girl in her last year. She was an excellent team member in all school sports and left to train as a P. E. teacher at I. M. Marsh College, Liverpool.

Romance came quickly though in her life and distracted her from the
teaching profession; she enjoyed 59 years of happy family life. Those
of us who remember Jacquie are very sad to hear of her death and send our best wishes and sympathy to Martin and her family.

(From Hilary Stannard, nee Chute)

We recently heard from Rebecca Lopez Winter of the death on 6^th October of her mother Sandra Tothill 1938 to October 2016. Sandra was at St Monica’s 1946–1954 and was a Slessor boarder.

Sandra’s funeral will take place at 2.00 pm on Tuesday 1^st November at All Saint’s Church, Great Chesterford. Catherine Caves will be attending and reports that Sandra was a delightful person and good friend to many.

CLIFFORD Susan Mary (née McNab) passed away peacefully on 13th October 2016, aged 68 years. Loving mother of Seamus and Kate and much-loved granny Sue. Service to take place at St Peter and St Paul Parish Church, West Mersea, on Tuesday 25th October 2016, at 1.45pm. No black to be worn. Family flowers only. Donations, if desired, may be made payable to either West Mersea RNLI, St Helena Hospice (Singlepoint), or Balkerne Trust and sent c/o J K May Funeral Service, Blackwater House, 51 High Street, West Mersea, Essex, CO5 8JE, or via our website www.hunnaball.co.uk.

We are sorry to report the death of Elizabeth Wild 17.4.1939 - 13.8.2016. She passed away peacefully at St. Helena Hospice. Elizabeth left St Monica's in 1956.

She will be buried at St Mary Magdelen Church, Thorrington on Monday 19th September at 11.00 am. and a Service of Thanksgiving will follow at Prettygate Baptist Church, Colchester at 12 Noon.

We are very sorry to tell you all of the sad death of Jane Allen (Pollard) known to many as Polly. She left St Monica’s in 1964 and was in Anderson House. She was a most cheerful and vibrant person and a joy to be with. She will be sorely missed by her family and many friends. The notice in the Daily Telegraph on 28^th April reads:

"Allen, Jane, of Orford, beloved wife of Timothy, died 25th April 2015, aged 68. Funeral and celebration of Jane's life at St Bartholomew's Orford on Saturday 16th May at 2.30pm. No flowers please but donations, if wished, to St Bartholomew's Fabric Fund c/o E B Button & Sons Ltd, 24 St Johns Street, Woodbridge IP12 1EB."

Mary lived in Ruislip, London, during her early years, apart from the war years when she was evacuated to Suffolk. She attended St Monica’s from 1947 – 1952 as a boarder in Slessor House and was a keen sportswoman. On leaving school, Mary found she was too young to train at Gt. Ormond Street Hospital, so trained as a Nursery Nurse instead. She met her husband Dermot at a local tennis club in Cheltenham and they were married in 1964. They had two children (Symon and Caroline) and six grandchildren. Mary was very proud of her children and grandchildren and took a keen interest in their activities. She and Dermot settled in the Cheltenham area. She continued her interest in sport and loved walking her dogs on nearby Cleeve Hill, where her family will place a memorial plaque. Mary’s warm personality will be greatly missed by all her family and friends.

On leaving St Monica’s in 1963 Michele went to Westminster Secretarial College and became a bilingual secretary. Later she obtained a degree and qualified as a speech therapist.

Michele travelled widely and lived in many places in the first half of her life. Her father was in the army and both her husbands were in the RAF. The first, John Dennis, sadly died in a flying accident just before their daughter’s second birthday. When her second husband, Bill Tootell, retired from the RAF they lived at an Oxfordshire at Weston-on-the-Green and both were very involved in their local community.

Corinna Chivers (Johns) and Roberta McWatt were among those who attended a service of thanksgiving for Michele’s life. Michele’s brother, Graham, several years younger, spoke with gratitude for the times she had taken him out from Felsted and paid tribute to her many interests and activities including tapestry work and gliding. When she met Bill she was a gliding instructor: she had been gliding since a teenager. Graham referred to an essay on gliding that Michele had written while at St. Monica’s, that had been praised by Miss Hill. I think this was the article published in the school magazine for 1961 under the title “Reach for the Heavens”.

Brockman Yvonne Stafford MBE(Mil) RN, on 19th November 2013 aged 94, passed away peacefully in Colchester Hospital. Beloved mother of Roland and Fiona, and grandmother to Ross and Natasha. Private family cremation. Service of Thanksgiving to be arranged in the New Year. Donations to RNLI Clacton Lifeboat. All enquiries to P. G. Oxley Ltd, Frinton-on-Sea. Tel: 01255 675549."

Mrs Brockman taught needlework and was quite a personality. Her daughter, Fiona, was in Anderson.

Sue Young recalls “Mrs Brockman was a truly kind and happy person and inspired many to take up sewing. She certainly inspired me and I have made many of my children’s clothes as well as household furnishings. I am still making costumes for the local Panto and often think of smiling Mrs. Brockman when I get my sewing machine out of the cupboard.”

We are sorry to report the following deaths having heard the news from Jane Crowe (Milbank):

Sadly for those who may not have heard, the death has occurred of two dear friends who attended St Monica’s.

Firstly Susan Self, nee Abbott, Wilson House 1960- ?63 who lived near me in Hadleigh and attended our church in Shelley, died just before Christmas last year. She was not at SMS for long and it was only by chance that we discovered our mutual connection, but she was a truly lovely person with a very strong faith which sustained her throughout her long and difficult illness.

Secondly my very dear and oldest friend in school Fiona Stewart Butler, nee Byrne died in March. She was in Cavell House from 1953-1960. Her death of a heart attack was totally unexpected and came as a shock to all who knew and loved her. She too was a deeply committed Christian living a very full and adventurous life.