Wednesday 2nd May 2012
Today, Wednesday 2nd May, 2012, a service of thanksgiving was held at the Baptist Chapel, North Row, Warminster, for the life of Isabel Greta Gunning (Bella), who died on 21st April 2012. The service was attended by over thirty people and was conducted by the Reverend Roy Bedford.
Bella was born on 9th October 1920. Her father Albert Dewey was a well-known blacksmith with a forge at Emwell Street, Warminster, nearly opposite the Weymouth Arms inn. Bella’s uncle, Harold Dewey, who had previously been the Headmaster of the Close School, Warminster, was the esteemed Headmaster of the Avenue School, Warminster, from its opening in 1931 until his retirement in 1953.
After the thanksgiving service, Bella’s body was laid to rest at the Pine Lawns Cemetery, Warminster.
At the funeral, one of Bella’s nieces, Jennie Jenkins, read out the following tribute to Bella, on behalf of the family:
Bella was born in 1920, the youngest daughter of blacksmith Albert Dewey and his wife Laura. Bella was carried into this Chapel as a babe-in-arms, and so much of her childhood revolved around the Chapel.
She attended the Old Close School but reluctantly, and Nelson, her brother, had to wheel her back to school on the blacksmith’s trucks many times when she decided she did not want to stay, having made an early exit during playtime!
All the Dewey children were given the chance to play a musical instrument, as Albert was himself a talented musician. Bella excelled at piano. She played piano here at the Baptist Chapel, at St. Giles’, and for many societies, and, of course, still enjoyed having her piano in her final years at Woodmead.
Bella inherited her mother’s lovely singing voice and they sang duets together when Bella was a child.
Sadly, they lost their beloved mother when Bella was 14 years old. Bella then had to leave school to look after her father. Some very unhappy years followed. She trained as a nurse until it affected her health and she had to find new employment.
Meeting Tom Gunning, the love of her life, changed everything. They married in Bristol when Bella was 19 and Tom was 21. The year was 1939. Tom, a coal miner from South Wales, was sent to the Radstock mines, as his was a reserved occupation. Tom and Bella set up home at Wollard. Very hard times followed, as for many in that generation, but, with no help from the State as now, it was just survive and work hard, which they did.
Coming back to Warminster, Tom worked at the Creamery at Station Road, and Bella at 27 Command Workshops REME. She progressed through the pay office to the School of Infantry to train as a draughtswoman, and for many years she was responsible for mapping military exercises on Salisbury Plain.
Sadly, Tom and Bella were not blessed with children but later made a happy home at the Dewey family’s house in Imber Road, Warminster.
Tom and Bella arranged coach trips and holidays around the country and they had many happy times. They both worked hard for the local Liberal party and much fun was always had by all.
Tom died very soon after retiring from work, when Bella was 62. So, she had 30 long years as a widow. These were difficult times but she kept up her piano playing and singing with choral groups, and continued to worship at the Baptist Chapel for as long as she could.
She enjoyed her garden, her cat, and she supported animal charities. In common with all the Dewey family she was never happier than being in the fresh air.
Bella was a brave and determined lady and we are all proud of her.