Thursday 26th May 2005
Margaret Irene Symes, nee Duffy, will always be remembered by her family and friends for the time and care she so willingly devoted to them.
Irene was born in Rochdale, Lancashire, on 6th April 1928, and was the eldest of six children. Her father was an asbestos worker in Turner’s Factory, Rochdale. On leaving school in 1942 Irene worked for a year in a cotton mill, before taking up employment with the NAAFI. She then joined the ATS, having been posted to Bulford Camp in Wiltshire.
Bill Symes, from Boreham, while in the Wiltshire Regiment, was in camp at Bulford. That’s where the two of them met, when Irene was serving food to the soldiers. The first time Bill saw her, she was wearing a khaki uniform and wooden clogs. It was the beginning of a loving 58 year partnership.
They were wed at Rochdale and commenced married life living with Bill’s parents at Boreham for six years. They were in a tied-cottage at Bests Lane, Sutton Veny, for a year, before gaining their first council house at Ferris Mead, Warminster. Twelve months later they moved to Boreham Field, where they resided for 44 years, before finally moving to a bungalow at The Dene, Warminster.
Bill and Irene had six children: Carol, Linda, Susan, David, Mark and Ian. At the start of each pregnancy Irene would always announce that she would be giving up smoking, and copious amounts of knitting followed as she made ready for each new arrival.
She was also blessed with eleven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, and was devoted to all of them.
Irene had a succession of jobs, spending two periods in the kitchen at the Old Bell Hotel, as well as working at the Hillside Café, Codford, and for Admiral Bovell at Boreham Grange. She also found employment at the West Country Creamery at Station Road, the Warminster Fish And Fruit Company, and Clark’s shoe component factory.
For 15 years she was a charge-hand at the Mess Hall at Battlesbury Barracks. In later life she worked at Delights ladies’ fashion shop and at the Country Style gift shop in Warminster’s High Street. She also served the community by being the caretaker at St George’s School.
Her abiding role, though, was looking after Bill and their extended family. She was “a giver†not only of her love and time, for it was her pleasure to always find some significant gifts for family and friends on special days during the year, such as birthdays and Christmas. She simply enjoyed every minute of it.
Irene passed peacefully away in Salisbury District Hospital, at Odstock, on 18th May 2005. She was 77. She had, with great courage and fortitude, bore more than ten years of medical problems. She will be sorely missed by her husband Bill who splendidly looked after her when her health deteriorated.
Irene Symes will always be remembered by her family as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.
Funeral On Corpus Christi Day
The funeral of Margaret Irene Symes was held at St Aldhelm’s Church, Bishopstrow, on Thursday 26th May (Corpus Christi Day), 2005. The Reverend Denis Brett officiated, and the organist was Sheelagh Wurr.
The hymns were The Old Rugged Cross and The Day Thou Gavest, Lord, Is Ended. The Lesson was from Revelation, Chapter 21, verses 1 to 7.
The family tribute, read by three of Irene’s granddaughters, Zoe, Alexis and Katie, began with the words “You were a rock to us.â€
Family Mourners:
Mr William Symes (husband);
Mr David Symes (son) and Julie (partner);
Mrs Linda Cane (daughter) and Mr Matt Plumridge (partner);
Mr Mark Symes (son) and Mrs Tanya Symes (daughter-in-law);
Mrs Carol James (daughter) and Mr Les James (son-in-law), rep. Christian Lindquist (grandson);
Mr Ian Symes (son);
Mrs Susan Foran (daughter) and Mr Mike Foran (son-in-law);
Lisa Cane-Hall, Anthony Cane-Hall, Zoe Symes, Alexis Symes, Daniel Symes, Katie Symes, Josh Symes, Lauren Stone-Symes (grandchildren), representing Scott Cane and Tina Cane (grandchildren), also representing Luke Cane-Hall, Beth Cane-Hall, and Reece Cane (great-grandchildren);
Mrs Christine Tyson (sister) and Mr Harry Tyson (brother-in-law);
Mrs Jean Whelan (sister-in-law);
Mr and Mrs J. Baker (Bill’s uncle and aunt);
Mrs Val Whatley (Bill’s cousin) and Mr David Whatley;
Pippa Stone (family friend);
Jean Latham (family friend).
Irene’s sister Maureen, and Craig and Lorraine in Rochdale; and Irene’s brother Kenny Duffy and Ann and Honora, in Australia, were unable to attend.
Also present:
Pete Withey, rep. Andrew Withey;
Mrs Jean Curtis, rep. Mr Eric Peck;
Jean Stringfellow, rep. Mrs D. Nolan;
Mr Alan Cane, rep. Marion Cane;
Christine Bailey, rep Lorraine Fearon;
Mrs Valerie House;
Mrs Dorothy Cannings, rep. the Cannings family;
Mrs Pam Edwards;
Mr Nigel Edwards;
Mr D.R. Cane, rep. Mrs D.M. Cane;
Mr and Mrs Herbie West, rep. Mr Colin Bowden, Mrs Betty Carter, Mr Don Poolman and Mrs Betty Poolman;
Mr Mark Gibbs, rep. Mrs Sybil Gibbs and the Gibbs family;
Sharon Le-Maire;
Mr Nigel Hiscock, rep. Mr Richard Hiscock;
Maureen Hiscock, rep. Mr Derek Hiscock, Mr Rodney Hiscock, and the Hiscock family;
Sharon Giddings, rep. Thermaglaze;
Mr Rob Huxtable, rep. the Huxtable family;
Mr Bill Huxtable, rep. the Huxtable family;
Mrs Sally Kervell, rep. Mr Steve Kervell;
Mrs Sue Carr, rep. Mr Michael Carr;
Carol Barton, rep. Jason Barton and Claire Evans;
Mrs Gwen Howell;
Mrs Ivy Bush;
Emma Mundy (Housing Warden), rep. the residents of The Dene and St George’s Close;
Mr and Mrs P. Curtis, rep. Mrs L. Curtis;
Shantel Palmer;
Roxanne Hayllar;
Mr Tony Willmore, rep. Mr Ian Willmore, Mr Mark Willmore, Mrs Brenda Willmore and Mr Lew Willmore;
Rosamond Wilson, rep. the Wilson family;
Mr Danny Howell;
Tony and Sue Berridge, rep. the Berridge family;
Mr Nick Strong, rep. the Strong family.
The funeral arrangements were able carried out by Arthur Mays, Westbury.