Yvonne Rodwell 1930 – 2007
From the Parish News – April 2007
Yvonne spent the last three years of her life in Denton, living quietly in her bungalow next to the Chapel, which she christened "Mog's Palace" with her beloved cats. This was to be her final retirement home, having spent her life teaching at Primary schools mainly in Suffolk her career culminated in headships at Tuckswood Norwich and Bosmere Primary in Needham Market, which happened to be the home town of her mother.
Her very devout Christian faith was the guiding influence in her life, as a lay member of the St.Franciscan Order she lived her life spiritually committed to this Creed and the guidance of the "Jerusalem" Bible. Until the last two years she made regular visits to Walsingham with her very dear friend Freda, a fellow teacher who lives in Ipswich and met Yvonne through her profession in 1960, they shared their commitment to their faith with study and visits to spiritual retreats when possible.
Yvonne's other great love was for music, being quite an accomplished pianist and choral singer. She sang in the Benjamin Britten choir in Aldeburgh for many years and was also a member of a Bach Choir; more recently she became a member of the Alburgh singers and also sang with the Bungay Choral Society. In a moment somewhat out of character when visiting for the first time to worship at a service in St. John's Church in Harleston, the Rector announced that the Organist was indisposed. Yvonne volunteered to attempt to accompany the Hymns on the organ, and consequently became regular organist there, a post she conscientiously continued until the last few months of her life.
Almost exactly a year ago Yvonne was diagnosed with Cancer, after a brief spell of chemotherapy she decided to abandon the treatment and let her faith guide her through the last months of her life, bravely facing the outcome, an action which was an inspiration to many. At her own request a memorial Requiem Mass was held at St John's Church Harleston, followed by internment at St. Mary's Denton.
Our condolences go to her family, especially her half-sister Jill, cousin Anne and her very dear friend Freda Smith.