Book of Remembrance

Image of two pink and orange flowers

“Frances was grateful for the support she received from Sight Support Derbyshire so decided to leave a gift in her Will.”

With grateful thanks to Frances and her friends for their generosity to Sight Support Derbyshire.

Irene was always kind, considerate and contented. She encouraged others to fulfil their potential and helped others through their hardship.

While young she allowed her big sister to look after her without rebelling. Then she began a lifetime of helping other people. In adolescence she helped with the wolf cubs and later led wolf cub packs in several towns. She also took over the church youth club.

Irene studied Geology, German and keyboard playing in her spare time. She gained a diploma in municipal administration, at a younger age than anyone else ever had.

Irene married at the age of 22. She never regretted it. Irene raised a son, who learnt to play chess at the age of 4 and became the Derbyshire under 14 chess champion.

She coped with moving house four times; each time she quickly amassed a new circle of friends. Irene welcomed guests into her home: school-exchange pupils from France and Germany; rugby players from Canada; singers from Georgia; migrant workers from Bavaria; a visiting professor from Australia; and conference delegates from Botswana.

Irene was one of the first regional co-ordinators for the Royal National Institute for the Blind, a voluntary post, organising the team that repaired talking book machines and helping people to use them, throughout much of Derbyshire. This work was recognised by an invitation to a Buckingham Palace garden party and by a Prince Charles’ Diamond Award.

In between all this Irene developed her garden from a plain grass patch to a landscaped area of flowerbeds, shrubbery, terraces and a little wood. She held garden open days, with proceeds to charities including Sight Support Derbyshire.

There were also her cakes. Birthday cakes, christening cakes, wedding cakes, retirement cakes, just-because cakes, all fabulously decorated with sugarcraft. For open days, sales-of-work and so on she could be relied upon to supply little fancy cakes by the dozen.

Even at the end, as the illness took her away, she was still doing good, leaving bequests to a variety of charities.

A lovely lady. It was an honour to have known her.

With grateful thanks to the late Irene Binks for everything she did for Sight Support Derbyshire.

Despite being registered severely sight impaired in 1963, Pauline accepted this with the support of her husband and didn’t see this as a barrier to leading a fulfilling life as a wife and mother. 

She always had a very strong and courageous personality and this shone throughout her life.

This quality could be seen when she was part of a Tenpin Bowling Team which had been adapted for people with sight impairment using equipment to enable this to happen. Pauline became extremely good at this and was very much a team player. Her achievement in this was so outstanding that she was asked to join a team of sighted people who had watched her play and approached her to be a member of their sighted team. She was an asset to their team scoring many strikes.

Pauline was a very social lady and was selected by a local CB club to have a CB radio installed in her home. This again opened up her life meeting others on the airways. She became so involved in this radio club and with the support of others helped facilitate fundraising events. She was known to many as ‘Tenpin’. She had a passion to help others. Through Pauline the radio club raised funds for Guide Dogs for the blind.

She had a passion and interest in cookery and made excellent cakes. She also had an interest in flowers and plants, and would often be seen planting up hanging baskets.

During Pauline’s sight impairment she received support from what was Derbyshire Association For The Blind and latterly when this changed to Sight Support Derbyshire. It was a thank you to Sight Support Derbyshire that she left in her Will a legacy that will help others, as she had been, to help them live with sight impairment.

Towards the end of her life, she had many complex health issues to deal with. It was only when she became terminally ill that she mentioned her sight loss.

She is sadly missed by her daughter and all the people whose hearts she touched during her life.

With grateful thanks to Pauline Briggs from all at Sight Support Derbyshire.

Leonard was a keen cyclist all his life. After his sight failed when he was in his early nineties and he could no longer go out on his bicycle, he was very grateful for the help received from Sight Support Derbyshire.

Jenny loved Derbyshire and lived in the Ashover area all her life. She was always part of the farming community.

Jenny was happily married for 58 years with one son. She was sociable, outgoing and a willing member of many charitable organisations. The many visitors she had were always made welcome and pressed to stay for a meal.

When both Jenny’s sight and hearing were failing in later life, her family vividly remembers one of her carers asking if she ever got depressed. “Depressed?” she repeated in a puzzled voice “What have I got to be depressed about!”

Jenny’s daughter-in-law says, “Whenever Sight Support Derbyshire visited her it was an occasion to savour and you always managed to think of something that we were unaware of to make her life a little easier. Thank you.”

“Florence was born in 1918 and lived to be 105. She had a strong Christian faith and was a devout Methodist.

She married Frank in 1945 and they had 3 children, 8 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.

She was so grateful for the magnifying glasses and especially the talking clock.”

With grateful thanks to the family and friends of the late Florence Chettle who donated to Sight Support Derbyshire in her memory.

Basil was a very positive, happy and caring gentleman, who always thought about others and had a great sense of humour. He was a marine superintendent engineer before his retirement.

Basil wanted to give back to Sight Support Derbyshire for the help he received.

With grateful thanks to the late Basil Clarricoates for his kind legacy gift to Sight Support Derbyshire and to all the family and friends who donated in his memory.

Nancie was a wonderful, friendly, outgoing mum, grandmother and great grandmother. She was always cheerful, considering the difficulties her sight loss caused. Her cup was always half full.

Nancie lived with her daughter for 3 years, who looked after her. When Nancie was unable to leave the house she would answer the telephone for them, enjoying her role as “receptionist”, always enjoying a chat with family and friends.

Nancie’s family donated to Sight Support Derbyshire at Nancie’s request, as she received many home visits providing help and support.

With grateful thanks to all the family and friends of the late Nancie Derbyshire who donated to Sight Support Derbyshire in her memory.

Mabel was a plotter during World War II, joining up at 18 years of age despite being in a job that was exempt. During the war she got married. After the war Mabel and her husband emigrated to Canada returning to the UK 10 years later. They had a long and happy marriage of 64 years. Mabel spent her later years in Derbyshire with her daughter.

Mabel was a very interesting person, always with lots of wonderful stories to tell. She was also a very kind person and loved her family unconditionally. Mabel has left a truly wonderful legacy to her family, always setting a good example. Mabel is loved and missed every day.

Sight Support Derbyshire provided services to Mabel’s granddaughter, who also volunteers at Sight Support Derbyshire.

With grateful thanks to all the family and friends of the late Mabel Hickson who donated to Sight Support Derbyshire in her memory.

“He was a true gentleman” is the phrase most often used to describe Reg, with a wonderful, mischievous sense of humour.

Born to Fred and Harriet Holmes in 1938 he was the youngest of 5 children. His three great passions in life were music, sport and teaching, as well as love, kindness and generosity for his family, friends and colleagues.

Reg grew up pumping the organ pipes and singing in the church choir. His love of music continued and family get togethers always involved a singalong around the piano.

A keen runner, Reg represented Derbyshire, becoming the 3A’s champion and was picked to run for his country at White City, narrowly missing out on qualifying for the Tokyo Olympics in 1964 due to a race being cancelled. He also ran whilst on national service in the RAF and for Loughborough University Athletics team. A keen footballer too, he was signed to Sunderland but decided not to take up the opportunity as he wanted to continue his education.

Reg was a dedicated teacher starting in 1961 at Deincourt School teaching maths and PE, moving on to be Deputy Head at Deer Park then Headteacher at Anthony Bek and latterly Clay Cross Junior School. He cared about every student, not just the best, instilling in them a sense of purpose.

Reg was a loving husband to his wife Ann of 60 years, his two children and three grandchildren, and is described by his family as “Simply the best”.

With grateful thanks for donations to Sight Support Derbyshire in his memory, in recognition of the help he received.

“A gentleman in every sense of the word.

Carl left a legacy in gratitude for the help he received over the years and to help others.”

Carl’s sister

A tribute from her daughter, Carol:

“My mum had Age Related Macular Degeneration and had several years of injections, but never complained once. She always had a smile on her face and was very grateful for all the help she had at hospital and at home for her condition.

“Mum used to love to read. When her eyesight wasn’t so good, Sight Support Derbyshire arranged for a visit from a local Opticians. A lovely man came and sorted Mum out with magnifying glasses, lamps and also glasses to wear to help with the sun. Mum loved that the help she received allowed her to keep her independence and to continue reading for as long as possible.”

With grateful thanks to all the family and friends of the late Madge Lindley who donated to Sight Support Derbyshire in her memory.

Margaret was born in Barkisland, West Yorkshire on 29 September 1923 and grew up with her older brother, Doug. At the outbreak of World War 2 Margaret trained as a nurse in Halifax. She became a state registered nurse specializing in midwifery and ultimately became a theatre sister at the Jessop Hospital in Sheffield, which she was very proud of. On 25th June 1953 Margaret married her husband and moved to Bakewell where Mr Mellor owned the Quail & Mellor Outfitters. Once her daughter arrived, Margaret became a full time mother, helping out in the shop at busy times. In 1970 they moved to their family home from which they celebrated their Silver & Ruby Anniversaries and the wedding of their daughter, Jill. Sadly, Margaret’s husband passed away suddenly in 1994 leaving the family devastated. However, Margaret was determined to stay in the home she loved, and did so for the rest of her life.

“Margaret valued the support given by Sight Support Derbyshire for many years.”

Margaret’s nephew

Hector, also affectionately known as Jock, was born in Ellon, a small town in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. In Scotland he was a gardener to a landed Gentleman before joining the Royal Air Force, where he became a sergeant and worked in the Egypt for 6 years. After serving in the Middle East, Jock returned to the UK and was stationed at RAF Fradley Park in Litchfield until he was discharged. He then worked, for over 30 years, at Rolls Royce in Derby as an aeroengine blade polisher.

Jock was married to Edith Ivy for 63 years until Ivy passed away in March 2017. Jock and Ivy set up home in Chaddesden, where they became parents to their son Michael. Jock was a loving, caring husband and father and will be sadly missed.

Jock really appreciated the help and support he received from Sight Support Derbyshire over many years. Donations from Jock’s funeral were a way of giving something back to help other people benefit the way Jock did.

With grateful thanks to all the family and friends of the late Hector Munro who donated to Sight Support Derbyshire in his memory.

Born in Chesterfield, June was diagnosed as a Type 1 Insulin Dependent Diabetic at the age of 15 after almost four months in hospital.

In total June lived with diabetes for 74 years, a remarkable achievement which was recognised by three medals from Diabetes UK for 50, 60 and 70 years.

June was a wonderful wife and mother who never complained and lived her life to the full despite her illness and associated sight issues. She enjoyed holidays abroad and her interests were gardening, baking and cooking, and in her younger years knitting and sewing. Her family hope that her courage and hope will help to give comfort, hope and reassurance to other people who are insulin dependent.

June is survived by her husband, Peter, to whom she was married for 68 years; sons Peter and David and daughter-in-law Jean; daughter Jill and son-in-law Martin; grandson Steven; granddaughter Nichola and her husband Danny; and two great grandsons Edward and Lewis.

June’s family wished to send donations made in memory of June to Sight Support Derbyshire in recognition of the help and support provided to June over the years which helped her to live as normal a life as possible.

With grateful thanks to all the family and friends of the late June Nightingale who donated to Sight Support Derbyshire in her memory.

Margaret’s family wished to send donations made in memory of Margaret to Sight Support Derbyshire in recognition of the help and support provided to Margaret over the years which helped her to live as normal a life as possible.

With grateful thanks to all the family and friends of Margaret O’Donoghue who donated to Sight Support Derbyshire in her memory.

Despite Dennis’ poor sight he enjoyed travelling with his partner Brenda. Dennis loved to sing and could be found on many a Friday night singing Elvis songs in the Duke of Clarence. He was a keen Derby County Fan.

He is sadly missed.

Dennis always loved getting the talking newspapers and enjoyed the Sight Support Derbyshire trips, so he left a legacy as he wanted to contribute for this to continue for other people to benefit.

With grateful thanks to the late Dennis Randle for his kind legacy gift to Sight Support Derbyshire.

Despite increasing lack of mobility and macular degeneration causing extreme sight loss, Irene’s family say, “she was always positive, chatty and never complained.”

Irene’s family chose Sight Support Derbyshire to benefit from donations made in her memory because “she totally relied on her talking books and talking newspapers as a way of coping with daily life.”

With grateful thanks to the family and friends of Irene Rhodes for donating in her memory, from all at Sight Support Derbyshire.

Frank went to Loscoe Road boys school and left during the 1926 General Strike, aged
14. He had to get a job working at two local collieries in Loscoe and Heanor. Frank worked there during the war, finally leaving through ill health in 1959. He then got a job at Vic Hallam Ltd, a wood products and timber buildings company, from where he retired in 1975.

Frank was a fit and clever man who played and liked cricket, football, cycling and walking, particularly in Derbyshire, which he did until he was 103! He liked gardening, reading and was good at woodwork and joinery until loss of sight prevented him doing all of these things in his latter years.

Frank was a donator and supporter of Sight Support Derbyshire because of his loss of sight. He was a regular visitor to the Resources Van when it came to Heanor market place.

Frank was a determined man and a large presence in everyone’s life who knew him or spoke to him. He will be greatly missed after a long life.

With grateful thanks to all the family and friends of the late Frank Walter Rose who donated to Sight Support Derbyshire in his memory.

“Iris was a kind, loving and generous lady who liked to give. At 98 years old, her last happiness was through her great grandson who lit up her face. Iris was registered partially sighted and Sight Support Derbyshire helped her with equipment to make things easier. Hopefully these donations in memory of mum will help others struggling with their sight”

With grateful thanks to all the family and friends of the late Iris May Russell who donated to Sight Support Derbyshire in her memory.

Dennis was a wonderful, kind and gentle person with a delightful sense of humour. He lived a very full and active life until he became unwell in his twilight years. His philosophy was always “As one door closes another one opens”.

Dennis was an only child, born to Elsie Lillian and Francis Bernard Saxelby. He was only 8 years old when he tragically lost his mum to cancer and then at the age of 29 years he also lost his father to atherosclerosis.

He was an electrical engineer at Leys Malleable Castings from the age of 16, as an apprentice, until the age of 57 when redundancy took place. Dennis was married to Hazel for 67 years.

Dennis suffered with eye problems since a tumour was removed from his left eye over 20 years ago. Sight Support Derbyshire assisted Dennis with various aids in his later years, which was invaluable.

With grateful thanks to all the family and friends of the late Dennis Saxelby who donated to Sight Support Derbyshire in his memory.

With grateful thanks to all the family and friends of the late Kenneth Shelton who donated to Sight Support Derbyshire in his memory, in recognition of the help he received.

Despite losing her sight at the age of one as a result of measles, Judy attended mainstream school until the age
of nine. She then attended Bristol Royal School before passing a scholarship for Chorleywood College, a grammar school for girls with little or no sight.

Although no other blind person had been accepted at a teacher training college at that time, Judy was determined to teach. Supported by her headmistress, Judy obtained a place at St Gabriel’s Teacher Training College in London.

After qualifying as a teacher she taught in a secondary school for girls in Rugby for three years. From there she moved to The Parks County Secondary School in Belper, where she taught for 12 years before leaving to have her first child.

She returned to teaching, holding a number of posts and qualifying to teach students with visual impairments and also learning difficulties. In1987 she was awarded the British Empire Medal for services to blind people in Derbyshire.

In 1991 Judy became Fundraising Manager for the East Midlands Guide Dogs for the Blind, covering Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Lincolnshire.

After her retirement, Judy became a trustee for Sight Support Derbyshire and remained so until she sadly passed away. She also became involved with fundraising, for example organising a coffee morning (photo right). In addition, Judy was instrumental in setting up a lunch club in Duffield for local visually impaired people – an opportunity for people to come together to give and receive mutual support. In Sight Support Derbyshire’s Centenary Year Judy was involved in the ‘100 Years and Still Serving’ project, exploring the joint heritage of Sight Support Derbyshire and the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of World War 1. As part of this she read World War 1 poetry to the participants (photo above).

Judy did so much during her life to help others with a visual impairment and will be sadly missed by all who knew her.

Matt was born in Wigan, the son of a coalminer. He did well at school and then obtained employment alongside studying for
a Chemistry degree. During this time Matt discovered he was colourblind, so he had to change jobs and obtained employment as a Chemistry lecturer at Trent Polytechnic (now Nottingham Trent University).

“Having been diagnosed with Macular Degeneration, Sight Support Derbyshire supported her throughout and made her journey more tolerable. Thank you.”

June’s daughter