Trafford
Heritage Society is greatly saddened to announce the death in Italy, of Rowena
Darlington. An energetic and
enthusiastic member of THS, Rowena was a leading activist in the campaign to
save the Sale Hotel, and a number of other initiatives by the Society, to
protect our built heritage. Rowena was formerly a Trafford
schoolteacher before her retirement, and continued to work in education as a
volunteer, assisting young people with reading difficulties.
In her professional life she believed strongly
in the value of the performing arts, not only as a general foundation, but also
as a catalyst in the personal development of young people. The children she taught at Reception level (5
years) were all given speaking parts in school productions. She directed school choirs and traditional
English Country Dancing groups, taking them to music and dance festivals. Her expertise in this field informed her work
as caller with Jack-at-a-Pinch band and latterly, Long Millgate Band.
She was an English literature enthusiast
and a keen theatre-goer. She belonging
to a number of discussion groups and book clubs, and was a regular at the Royal
Exchange Theatre, Bolton Octagon, and the Library Theatre, Manchester.
Rowena was a keen gardener, an absorbing
interest which she also introduced into her teaching. She encouraged young school children to grow
food long before it became fashionable.
She established a kitchen garden at Acre Hall School, where the children
were able to manage the growing of fruit and vegetables, which they cooked and
ate in the classroom.
Rowena was a member of Amnesty
International and supported a number of charities, including the Fistula
Hospital in Ethiopia, and St Ann’s Hospice.
Rowena died in Padova University Hospital
in the early hours of 7th June. Devoted wife and mother, much loved by Wilfred and the wider
family.
Rowena’s funeral will be held at St John
the Divine, Brooklands, at 1.00pm on Friday, 04.07.14.
