Rhianon Catherine Jones Hardy
Rhianon Catherine Jones was born on April 6, 1919 at Botegir Farm in the North Wales, Welsh-speaking village of Llanfihangel Glyn Myfyr. Welsh was her first language.
She was educated at Howell's School in Denbigh then trained as an RN at Chester Royal Infirmary, then received a midwifery certificate from the City of London Midwifery Hospital.
She married Patrick Stanley Hardy 63 years ago today on February 25, 1961 in a small chapel in the walls of Denbigh Castle. Patrick is from Bournemouth in the Southwest of England. After his service in the British Army he trained as a physical therapist. They met when both were on the staff at Greenwich Hospital.
Pat and Rhianon went to Accra, Ghana, Rhianon as a clinic nurse for United Africa Company and Pat was physical therapist at the military hospital with the Ghana Army.
After 2 years in Africa they went to Canada and worked in hospitals in northern Ontario.
The Hardys came to Siesta Key in 1970 where Pat continued working as a physical therapist for 20 more years.
They are active members of the Gulf Coast St. David's Welsh Society in Sarasota and also of the Suncoast St. David's Welsh Society in St. Petersburg. For 18 years Rhianon was Corresponding Secretary in the Sarasota Welsh Society, and she and Pat hosted Welsh Society meetings and parties in their home.
They are members of St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church on Siesta Key.
In 1991 Rhianon was honored as the "Arweinydd" (Leader) Cymru Ar Byd (Wales in the World) at the Eisteddfod at y Wyrgrug (Mold), in Wales. In 1999 she was inducted into Gorsedd Green Robe in Llangefni Shirfon (Anglesey), Wales for her contribution to Welsh language and Culture.
Herb Larrabee, 77, of Sarasota, Florida, passed away on May 16, 2023. Herb will be remembered as kind and gentle, always willing to help others. He made a difference in so many lives.
Herb was born on August 4, 1945, in Flushing, NY, to Herbert and Betty Jane Larrabee. He graduated from Chapel Hill-Chauncey Hall School in Waltham, MA and went on to attend the University of New Haven, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude.
Herb served in the Navy Submarine Service from 1970-1972. After his military service, he worked at Lockheed Martin Corporation for 32 years as an Operations Analyst. He worked on international contracts and held a Six Sigma Master Black Belt, the top of the Lean Six Sigma achievement structure. Herb was a member of St. Boniface Episcopal Church in Siesta Key, Sarasota, FL. He was also a National Sailing Judge and an expert on racing rules. He was a huge fan of Formula 1 racing. He even attended the famous Monaco Grand Prix one year.
Herb is survived by his wife of 49 years Meg, sons John (Melissa) and Drew (Sharon), his brother Philip Larrabee (Carole), granddaughter Calista, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and sisters, Linda Lockwood and Tacie Kehlhem.
A service was held at St. Boniface Episcopal Church, 5615 Midnight Pass Road, Siesta Key, Sarasota, FL 34242 on June 30, 2023.
It is with great sadness that we share the loss of Roy Deakins. Roy was born in mid-Wales, and with his wife Kathy enjoyed many of our Welsh Society activities.
Ronnie Crain, one of our very longest-term members, passed away on November 15. Information about memorial arrangements are not yet available. I took this photo of Ronnie at one of our gatherings.
In Memorium:
Muriel Morgans Patram
September 28, 1920 - June 7, 2021
Muriel Patram (nee Morgans) age 100 passed away peacefully on June 7, 2021 at her Bay Village home in Sarasota, Florida. Beloved wife of the late Paul E. Patram; dearest mother of two sets of twins, Richard (wife Eileen), John (wife Angela), Kathleen (husband Tom Champley) and Robert (wife Anne). Proud grandmother of nine and great grandmother of fifteen. Additionally, Muriel 'adopted' Don & Sandy Bridgeman of Sarasota as part of her extended family for their continued love, care and when needed, always being there to assist.
Muriel was an active member of St. Boniface Episcopal Church on Siesta Key, Florida and the Gulf Coast Welsh Society. Born in South Wales, Great Britain, Muriel was proud of her Welsh heritage.
She had a strong passion and respect for recognizing those who served in the military and was extremely proud of her three sons and son-in-law who stepped up to serve.
She was proud of obtaining a Bachelor of Arts degree from Notre Dame College (South Euclid, OH).
A Celebration of life will be held later this summer in the Chagrin Valley, Ohio area and in the fall in Sarasota.
Donations may be made in her memory to St. Boniface Episcopal Church, 5615 Midnight Pass Road, Sarasota, FL 34242.
Muriel's own biography prepared for her 100th birthday appeared in NINNAU.
Muriel's Welsh Society friends are asked to sing "Calon Lan" at the memorial service for her, tentatively set for September 24 @ 11am at St. Boniface Episcopal Church, Siesta Key. Will you join us? If you want the phonetic pronunciation, or want her children's contact information to send condolences, let us know by email to sarasotawelsh@gmail.com or phone Amy: 941-346-1104.
