Page 52 - Qaranc Spring 2014

50 QARANC THE GAZETTE
Last Post
We regret to announce the following
Mrs Mary Rutherford ........................................................ 30 March 2013 Edna L Smith .................................................................... August 2013
Mrs Isobel Packwood (nee Melville) ................................. August 2013
Miss Carolyn Buckingham................................................ 3 November 2013 Lt Col (Retd) Dorothy Golding ARRC ............................... 4 December 2013 Miss Patricia Duffy............................................................ 5 December 2013 Mrs Jeremy (aged 99)....................................................... 25 December 2013 Ms Rosemary McChesney ............................................... 29 December 2013 Mrs Joan Macro (Nee Bulmer) (aged 97).......................... 30 December 2013 Mrs Susan Maree Cooper (neeTreacy) ............................. 19 August 2013 Mrs Marion Robinson ...................................................... 7 November 2013
Major Molly Finch
14 April 1931 – 14 March 2013
Molly was a Sussex girl; she was born in Brighton and had two older brothers. She lived in Haywards Heath throughout her childhood and was educated at local St. Clare’s then Lewes County School for Girls. After gaining her State Registered Nurse (SRN) qualification at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton, she worked at Haywards Heath Hospital as a theatre staff nurse then sister. She later transferred this post to Cuckfield Hospital.
In 1962 Molly joined the Armed Forces as a junior officer with the Queen Alexandra’s Royal Army Nursing Corps (QARANC) and worked as a theatre nurse and sister in British Military Hospitals in many parts of the world including Libya, Cyprus, Germany, Malaysia, Nepal, Singapore, Hong Kong, Northern Ireland and the UK. In her later years she held the position of Deputy Matron.
She retired in 1986 and settled in Wokingham, where she became an active member of the community. She took up various art and craft classes and volunteered at the local Stroke Club, hospital and Broadmoor Prison. She was a committed and busy member of All Saints Church, the Women’s Institute and of The Third Order of the Society of St. Francis (the latter very much influenced Molly’s way of life – to live humbly, a life of compassion, prayer and service to others). She was a
Mrs Joan K. Macro (Nee Bulmer)
Born 1916 Died 30 December 2013
Joan K. Macro (Nee Bulmer) died peacefully at her home in Seasons, Owen Sound on December 30, 2013. She was born in Windsor, England in 1916 and was predeceased by her parents, five brothers, five sisters and her beloved husband of 60 years, Wing Commander Eric Lancelot Macro OBE. Survived by her son Howard of Tenby, South Wales and her daughter Jane (De Jong) of Walters Falls. Much loved by her grandchildren Kate, Simon, Alexander, David, Joshua, Sam and Megan and great grandchildren, Mabel, Elkie, Bo Lancelot and Fred.
Joan served in the Queen Alexandra’s Royal Army Nursing Corps in North Africa during WWII, was a market researcher with J. Walter Thompson in London in the 50s. She moved
woman of great faith, who could always be relied upon, but who servied quietly, behind the scenes.
Molly never married or had children, but was very well respected and dearly loved by her family and friends.
A beautiful, very personal and well attended funeral service was held at All Saints Church on 5th April. Molly’s ashes are now buried beside the church vestry, where she spent so much of her time carrying out her duties.
The following are memories of Molly’s friend and colleague Lt Col Margaret Nesbitt:
Molly joined QARANC in 1962, the same year as myself. We met on our first overseas posting in Benghazi. While we were there, there was an earthquake, which kept us busy, treating burns and fractures. The Americans put up a hospital tent, which was stolen by the time they returned with the equipment! Molly’s theatre experience was an asset. We then moved on to Cyprus for our second year. The Greeks and Turks were fighting then, but we had plenty of opportunity to explore the Island.
We later attended the Junior Officers Course together. There were only four of us, so we fitted into Molly’s car to explore Surrey and Hampshire at weekends.
She was a fond supporter of the Aldershot QA Association branch, and came to Corps day services, and other events.
It is very sad to say goodbye after so many years of friendship, but there are many happy memories of so many years.
the family frequently in England and to France and Egypt following Eric’s career in the Royal Air Force. Joan was a life- long member of the Anglican Church, and her volunteering included Samaritans, Women’s Institute, CNIB, Macular Society, KW hospital, 3rd Age Learning and the Arts Guild.
An inspiration and role-model, her amazing spirit, indomitable optimism and courage made her eternal friends in UK and Kitchener Waterloo, where she and Eric lived for 17 years. The DeJongs are very grateful to Seasons residents and staff who became her new friends and fans – she so appreciated their many kindnesses. Her dream team of Wendy (VON), Dr. Stanners and Rev. Bland were able to help her meet her goals in managing her new life back in Canada.
Cremation has taken place and a Memorial Service is planned in the spring, in Walters Falls and another in Tenby, South Wales.