Yahoo News Sad farewell to Devon woman who served town for 50 years
A ‘true Cullomptonian’ has been laid to rest in the town she loved, after serving the residents for more than half a century. Eileen Mavis Andrews died on March 15 aged 96. Her funeral took place on Tuesday, April 16 at St Andrew’s Church. She was buried in Cullompton Cemetery, where a tree had been planted in her honour to mark her 90 th birthday. Eileen was born in 1927, and lived in Cullompton all her life, apart from her last two years at Gittisham Hill House.
In 1947 she married Norman, and they had five children; four girls and a boy. Norman died aged 36 in 1963, following a diagnoses of advanced stage cancer. With no benefits available in those days, Eileen did her utmost to make sure her children were provided for, even going without herself to make sure they were fed. Eileen played an active role in the town, first producing pantomimes and then in early 1970s turning her eye to local politics.
Close friend Cathy Penharris, explained in her eulogy to Eileen that she was ‘small in stature, but a giant in courage, determination and love’.
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“She was loved by her family and friends, respected by all, feared by some, especially when they were on the sharp end of her tongue which I received on more than one occasion.
“She was always there when you needed her and she will be greatly missed. The way she worked hard to give her children a very happy childhood and continued working until she was 81. In fact, she said she never stopped working but was made redundant.
“On her passing, she had five children, 13 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren.
“Eileen was involved in, or instrumental in starting many organisations, such as the Cullompton Pantomime, the Cullompton Festival, the Cullompton Community Association, a trustee of the John Tallack Centre and United Charities, a governor at St Andrew’s School, chair of the Area Tenants Association, and the Cullompton Disability Group. A formidable list.
“Eileen arranged monthly coach outings including Christmas markets, shopping, seaside trips, which were always well attended.
“In 1970 Eileen became a town councillor for four years. Then from 1991 up until the time she went to the home. In 2001 she became a Mid Devon District Council member until the time she went into the home. Mid Devon District Council awarded her years of service by making her an honorary alderman, of which was very proud.
“Cullompton Town Council gave her a plaque for her 50 years of service to the town.
“Eventually Eileen met Percy Cross who became her companion and supporter her on many occasions, including her mayoral duties, and together they planted many of the trees in the CCA Fields. Eileen had a wonderful 96 years, some sadness, but a lot of happiness with a loving family surrounding her. She was an extremely busy person with an extraordinary strength and determination, and there are many people in Cullompton who can thank her for the help and support she has given them.
“On a personal note, I will miss the times we’ve had together, we had many a laugh. The people of Cullompton have lost a true Cullomptonian, so I say thank you Eileen and goodbye.”
Vicar, Edward Hobbs added: “We all have our own particular memories of Eileen. Maybe some of those many things Cathy has mentioned as well as the paper mill where she worked in her younger days, or Cullompton Cycle Club, although I think it was before my time here as I never saw her on a bike. The old Cullompton Regal Cinema, now Cullompton Carpets, and you may remember her eating a cream tea during festival week, or the excitement of attending a garden party at Buckingham Palace, or receiving her 2017 community honours at Exeter Castle, or again, seeing her every year in the church on Remembrance Sunday.”
