Milton “Donald/Don” Hughes, 79, of Sarasota, FL passed away on Friday, August 16th at Tidewell Hospice House, Sarasota Memorial Hospital.
Born in Scranton, Pennsylvania on April 28, 1945, he was the son of Hamilton Seymour Hughes and Helen Margaret Anderson Hughes. He is survived by his first cousin, and life-long friend, Roger “Clipper” Sebring and wife, Barbara, of Sarasota, FL. Also surviving are his nephews, David and Tod Yeisley, niece, Wendy Blumenthal and grandnephew and nieces, Wyatt Hamilton, Ashley, and Kelly, all of Pennsylvania.
Don served as class president in his senior year at West Scranton High School and following graduation in 1963 attended Drew University and later the University of Scranton where he received his bachelor’s degree in economics. He received his master’s degree in urban and regional planning from New York University in 1969 and a degree in architectural design and regional planning from the University of Washington. After receiving his degrees, Don was hired as a city planner for Philadelphia and struck up a friendship with a local realtor who convinced him to give real estate a try.
Shortly thereafter, Don, a natural born salesman, began his career in realty and returned to Northeastern Pennsylvania to Montrose where he split his time between county planning and what would become a lasting profession in real estate. In 1978, impressed with the Gulf Coast and the white sands and beautiful beaches of Siesta Key and Sarasota’s Barrier Islands, Don moved to Florida and worked as a realtor and broker for over 40 years. Dealing in residential, commercial, and investment real estate, Don worked for several agencies and well-known brokerages including Elizabeth Lambie Realty, Palmer Realty, Prudential, Michael Saunders & Co. and, until his passing, Albert Wooster & Co.
To those that knew him, Don was clearly more than a real estate broker, he was a master of storytelling, an entertainer, comedian, historian, genealogist, antiquarian, and a great car aficionado (particularly with respect to old cars). He was a member of more than one car club and enjoyed visiting car shows up and down the East Coast. Many of Don’s stories began with a car, and at one point, he owned a beautiful white with red interior 1948 Cadillac Convertible.
Perhaps most importantly, besides being a cherished friend, Don was first and foremost a Welshman! He took great pride and enthusiasm in his Welsh Heritage, and like his father, was an accomplished pianist who would play and sing Welsh hymns and songs to all that would listen. Over the years, he attended several cymanfaoedd canu (gymanfa ganus) and was a member and on the board of numerous Welsh and St. David’s Societies including the Gulf Coast St. David’s Welsh Society.
With his larger-than-life persona, sharp, dry wit and steady unwavering loyalty as a friend, Don made countless friends over his lifetime. He will be greatly missed. As the Welsh would say, “Hwyl fawr fy ffrind, gorffwys mewn heddwch.” Goodbye my friend, rest in peace.
A memorial service is being planned and will take place at First United Methodist Church, 104 S. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota, FL, 34236. Date to be decided. For information, call: 941-955-0935.
A celebration of life and remembrance will also be planned for his family and friends in Pennsylvania. Inquiries should be directed to Wendy Blumenthal at wyblumenthal@gmail.com.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Gulf Coast St. David's Welsh Society, P.O. Box 19343, Sarasota, FL 34276. Email: sarasotawelsh@gmail.com.
Pamela Ann Edmunds, of Niagara Falls, NY entered into eternal rest on Tuesday, September 10, 2024 in Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center. She was 79.
Ms. Edmunds was born on May 4, 1945 in Buffalo, NY, the daughter of the late Ernest and Clara (nee Chapman) Edmunds. Pamela was a 1962 graduate of Kenmore East High School, where she was a member of the Future Teachers Club and National Honors Society. Following Ken East, Pam attended the Buffalo State College where she earned her Teaching Degree in 1966. Ms. Edmunds spent her career teaching at the Ken Ton Schools, Red Brick School in Youngstown, NY.
She enjoyed working with developmentally disabled individuals at the United Cerebral Palsy Association and Opportunities Unlimited. Pamela retired from the Senior Friendship Center in Venice Florida. Pamela was active in St. John's Episcopal Church in Youngstown, New York and St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Venice, Florida, running youth groups and teaching Sunday School.
She was an active member of the Sarasota Welsh Society and very proud of her Welsh heritage.
Ms. Edmunds was an avid environmentalist with Operation CLEAN, fighting local pollution concerns related to the illegal dumping of chemicals in the Niagara Region.
Pamela is survived by her loving daughters, Christine A. (William) Gnadt and Gillian M. (Jeffrey) Henry-Game; cherished grandchildren, Aiden Patrick, Bryan Gil, Cory Elizabeth, Margaret Therese, Liam Daniel, Morgan Elizabeth and Kyndall Anne; adored great-grandchild Elizabeth; dear sister of Barbara Jean (Charles) Cotton; also survived by nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by the HARDISON FUNERAL HOMES, INC. Future Memorial Services will be announced at a later date." Please share condolences at www.HARDISONFUNERALHOMES.com.
Pam's daughter Gillian submitted this poem "The Laughter in the Stars" on Facebook in her mother's memory:In the field of daffodils, a laughter rings,
A memory of joy, a love that clings,
Their humor, a treasure, a gift they'd share,
In moments tough, they'd show their care.
We'll miss the laughter, their jokes, their fun,
But cherish the moments, one by one,
For in our hearts, they'll always stay,
Laughter among the daffodils, in memory's play.
Our dear one, forever near,
A love eternal, undying, clear,
In laughter's embrace, we find our peace,
A love unbroken, a bond that's ceaseless. ~Welsh poem
Philip C. Jones November 19, 1932 – July 5, 2024, co-corresponding secretary who along with Maureen sent greeting and condolence and gratitude cards
D'Arlene Llewellyn, September 1, 1926 - July 23, 2024. In honor of her family's Welsh heritage she gave the Welsh Society the little dragon which has appeared on podiums, pianos and tables for many years of Welsh Society events. Her funeral service will be Sunday August 18 at 1 p.m. at St. Boniface Episcopal Church, Siesta Key.
Nancy Elizabeth Taylor Parry, born May 7, 1936, in Inverness, Cape Breton , Nova Scotia , Canada....died July 11, 2024, at home in Ellenton, Florida. Longtime member with her daughter Marilyn, our soloist on St. David's Day
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.
