EDITH MAY BROOM, aged 90
Funeral on Thursday 1 December 2011 at Breakspear Crematorium
Edie was the eldest of 6 children born to Edie and Ted Lake. She was born and bred in Harefield and attended the local school (although she left at the first opportunity). Edie’s worked as a domestic firstly at Mount Vernon Hospital and then John Penrose School. Edie met and married  Percy a foreman at the Bell Works and they had a daughter – Pat. Edie was a very sociable person, she would chat to anyone and loved early morning shopping trips to Uxbridge. She was very close to her family and loved to help out first with grandchildren and then with great-grandchildren. Her family will miss her greatly.

LEN DAVIS, aged 98
Funeral on 12th December at St. Mary’s Church followed by cremation at Breakspear Crematorium
The illness that led to Len’s death was the first and only major illness in his 98 years of life!  His wife, Gwen, died 10 years ago; together they were a hospitable and loving couple.  His life had been miraculously saved in the war. For the last few years Len moved to Blenheim Care Home in Ickenham where he was very happy.  His room had a personal adjoining patio area and the wall displayed numerous family photographs.  He particularly enjoyed playing scrabble!  He was a lovely man, spoken of eloquently by his son, Paul, at his funeral.  Our sympathy to Paul and Brenda.   

RICHARD ROBB, aged 70
Funeral on 16th December at Breakspear Crematorium
Richard, of Irish descent, married Ann in 1969 at St. Mary’s Church and came to live in Harefield.  He was very much an “Army Man”; he did everything (all kinds of sport) during his 9 years in the army and left with a glowing commendation.  He was always smartly dressed and for years used to wear a tie.  He was a happy and cheerful person, always smiling, and everyone liked him.   He used to sit out in the garden and spoke to everyone as they passed by!  So many good memories.  Our sympathy to his wife, Ann, and son Alan and family.   

TERENCE JOHN CURTIS, aged 57
Funeral on 29th December at Breakspear Crematorium
It was far from a happy Christmas for Terry’s family following his tragic death on 15th December.  He was a loving and private man who devoted his life to his wife, Julia, and daughter, Lauren.  He was hugely popular, having the “gift of the gab” and the ability to put anyone at their ease.  He loved sport of any kind and was a lifelong QPR supporter.  His home is testimony to his obsessive tidiness and his DIY ability. He loved holidays, fish & chips, gadgets and all kinds of music.  He was friendly, loyal and hardworking.  Our sympathy to his devastated family, especially “Ju” and “Lou”. 

ELAINE MARION WILLIAMS, aged 53
Funeral on 6th January at Breakspear Crematorium
Elaine was the youngest of a large family who are now scattered over the UK and even Spain. She made the most of her life in many ways, going to concerts, musicals and shows, enjoying great holidays and keeping optimistic until the end.  She got on well with everyone and was very well-known and well-liked.  She fought bravely against cancer for 2½ years (never complaining) and her family are immensely grateful to the District and Macmillan nurses and the staff at Michael Sobell House.  Our sympathy especially to her husband, Paul, and to Laura, Scott and their families.

LESLIE JONES (“JONES’Y”), aged 64
Funeral on 9th January at Breakspear Crematorium
Les was a Harefield person born and bred.  Quite a few Harefield houses have patios laid by him!  Sadly he had been too ill to work for the last 3-4 years.  He loved the garden and certainly had green fingers, growing fresh veg and flowers; he is renowned for his hanging baskets and his lilies.  He was a quiet person but a drink used to liven him up!  He was a real character who liked his horses, cards, darts, whisky, bus pass and was an excellent cook.  Our sympathy to his wife, Helen (to whom he was very close), and to Lee, Jason, Billy, Liza, Peter and Tracey. 

JOYCE JESSIE MORGAN, aged 87
Funeral on 11th January at Breakspear Crematorium
Although Joyce came from a publican family, she was a quiet and shy person who devoted herself to being a homemaker for her husband, John, and son, Brian.  After living in Hounslow, then Ashford, she ended up in Carpenders Park, Watford, to be nearer her family.  She had lived alone for 15 years since John’s death, but was fit and able to get around until the end; she knew the Watford bus drivers quite well!  She was always well-dressed and her home was immaculate.  She was a kind and gentle person, much missed by Brian, Jill and her grandchildren.

THOMAS (“TOM”) JAMES GREATBATCH, aged 81

Funeral on 11th January at Breakspear Crematorium

Tom had been a resident of Coppermill Care Home in Harefield for the last 2½ years of his life.  He had worked for Napier Brown & Co Ltd in the City for 50 years starting as a 15 year old office boy and becoming Executive Director.  He may best be remembered as having a glass of Bell’s Whisky & Ginger Ale in one hand, a cigarette in the other and singing Danny Boy (tunelessly!).  He was a lovely man, much loved at Coppermill and especially by his family; our sympathy to his wife, Margaret, three children Keith, Alan & Erika and six grandchildren. 

EDWARD LAURENCE (“LAURIE”) HORSWOOD, aged 81
Funeral on 11th January at St. Mary’s Church followed by cremation at Breakspear Crematorium
Laurie would have been 82 on 10th January; his death on 27th December was a great shock.  The number of people at his funeral service was testimony to how well-liked he was and how he and Audrey had made and maintained so many friendships. His life as a family man, his work with the Metropolitan Police and Jockey Club, his cricket and numerous interests (including support for Watford!) were spoken about by Karen and Stephen.  He was always happy and smiling; no one had a bad word to say about him.  Our sympathy to Audrey and to Karen, Stephen and their families. 

ROBERT DOWEN, aged 64
Funeral on 12th January at St. Mary’s Church followed by burial at Chiltern Woodland Burial Park
Bob’s funeral service was exactly as he wanted it; he faced up bravely to his terminal illness and discussed arrangements for it before he died on 21st December (a week after his 64th birthday).  Moving tributes from Alan, Colin & Brian covered his family, working and social life. His work had been very important to him and had taken him to numerous countries as Project engineer.   He never complained about his illness and was able to die at home thanks to the Iain Rennie nurses.  He leaves so many good memories; our sympathy to Linda in particular who will miss him keenly.  

BRIAN WILLIAM WIGGINS, aged 79
Funeral on 12th January at Breakspear Crematorium
The crematorium chapel was packed to capacity for Brian’s funeral, showing just how popular he was.  He has left behind a tremendous legacy of love and respect.  The Harefield United Football Club building stands today in tribute to his vision, hard work and love of football, which he gained at an early age.  The whole community of Harefield will greatly miss this “real gentleman” with his mischievous sense of humour, level-headedness and kindness of character.   Our sympathy to Jose, Peter, Joanne and his grandchildren, to whom he was especially close.  

NEIL STUART WARRIOR, aged 49
Funeral on 23rd January at Breakspear Crematorium
Neil sadly lost his life in an aeroplane crash in 2009 and his funeral was made possible by the eventual discovery of his body.  Tribute was paid in the service to the full life that he had led, his success at work and his kind and compassionate nature.  Neil had many close friends from all walks of life and from all over the world; a number of whom attended the service (parallel services were held in New York and Germany for those unable to attend).  Our sympathy to his father, Dennis, brother Guy and sister Joanne.