Obituary of Beryl Clenyg-Jones

Beryl Clenyg-Jones (neé Ford) December 3, 1919 - April 18, 2010 Beryl was born to Gertrude and Nelson Ford in Allestree, Derbyshire, England, a village listed in the Domesday Book of 1086. She had a vibrant, rich and full life. Beryl was educated in England and later found her niche as an officer in the British army in World War II. Stationed in London, she had an exciting time, despite the perils. She met her husband, David, during the war and they were married in New Zealand, where daughter Bronwen was born. Her sister Sara was born in Katoomba, Australia. Beryl travelled the world by ship many times, interspersing moves to exotic places with trips back to England, thus balancing Dave's love of adventure with her own love of English life. With two small children, Beryl's resourcefulness was tested in the 1950s in rural Nigeria, living without roads, electricity or running water. In 1957 the family moved to Canada, living in Dundas, Sault Ste. Marie and Burlington. Beryl taught at Nelson High School, thoroughly enjoying students, fellow teachers and respected principal, Miss Edna Robinson. In 1982, Beryl retired and she and Dave enjoyed happy years as snowbirds in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, where they acquired a circle of American friends. In 1992 they moved to St George, Ontario. Beryl loved village life: golf, bridge, church activities, and caring for neglected and stray cats. She was an ardent cook, a decades-long subscriber to the Canadian Opera Company and cryptic crossword aficionado. She also enjoyed travel to Italy, France and England. A final gathering of close friends took place last year to celebrate Beryl's ninetieth year. Beryl was also a proud grandmother with her own approach to that role. Beryl had a strong sense of presentation, tradition and formality, from a 'properly' set table to applying make-up even in her final stay in hospital. More seriously, this led her to a love of the power and majesty of 'classical' music and of the King James Bible and Book of Common Prayer. She also exhibited a deep curiosity about knowledge, from the trivial - one knew not to phone during 'Jeopardy' - to history, politics and the arts, taking a number of university courses culminating in her B.A. Beryl was also never reticent about sharing, or rather, commanding, her opinion, as all who engaged with her quickly found out. Beryl was predeceased by husband David and only brother Alan. She is survived by daughters Bronwen Morgan and Sara Clenyg-Jones, son-in-law John Morgan, granddaughter Bronwen Eadie, nieces Jane, Maxine and Nicola, and her cats Rosie, Abigail and Chloe. The family thanks Mimi Leskien, Vanya Fariya, Victor Pelshea, Karen Nonnecke and many other friends for their support in her last years. Her family love and miss her deeply but are thankful that she enjoyed a long and wonderful life, that she was able to remain independent and that her mind was clear and sharp to the day of her death. Thanks go to the caring nurses on C5 at Brantford General Hospital, in particular Sandra, Tracy and Judy S. Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 27, 2010 at Holy Trinity Anglican Church, 2 Andrew Street, St George, Ontario N0E 1N0, with reception to follow.