Rosemarie Boddy (6 Feb 1939 - 31 Dec 2023)

In loving memory of Rosemarie Boddy who sadly passed away on 31st December 2023.

Rosemarie Pembridge was born in Newport, South Wales on 6th February 1939. It was a difficult birth and she and her mother nearly didn't survive. She was called Rosemarie because her grandmother had seen the musical film "Rosemarie" when pregnant and would have called the child but she had a boy!
At the age of 11 she went to Rougemount School. An independent school rated highly in the academic world.
When she left school she learnt shorthand & typing and after a number of years became secretary to the Services Manager of Santon (Makers of electric immersion heaters).
Rosemarie met her future husband, Martin Boddy, in the Summer of '65, whilst on a coach touring holiday to the Venetian Rivera, with her aunt, uncle and nephew. Martin was on tn the agenhe same holiday, with his mother. A thunderstorm brought them together as the group had to stay in the hotel lounge instead of going out to open air nightclub. They talked all night to 4 am the next morning! When their coach returned to Ostend they exchanged photos and promised to keep in touch .
Because Martin was a Reference Librarian he only had every 3rd Saturday off work. Martin & his Mother invited Rosemarie to their West Norwood home in October '65 The first show they saw together was the original stage production of "Oliver". November '65 saw Martin visit Newport for the first time. Again a musical was on the agenda and they saw one of the first showings of "Sound of Music" in Cardiff.
Martin proposed on Rosemarie's Birthday (6/2/66 on the train at Paddington Station as it was the first opportunity they had alone that day!
Their wedding took place on the 17th June 1967 at St. Woolas Cathedral with the Dean of Monmouth presiding.Honeymoon was in Austria in the places where the "Sound of Music" was filmed.
Over the next few years, Rosemarie & Martin rented in West Norwood in South London and saved to buy their own property but soon realised he needed a better paid occupation. A position arose at ICI for someone with his qualifications. In the meantime, Rosemarie was working in the Subscription Department of Reader's Digest at the Old Bailey. After a few more years, they bought a property in Orpington, which they first saw by torchlight as it was during the 3 day power cuts. From there they moved to a bungalow, in New Barn, Longfield. For nearly 10 years they have now lived in Harrietsham.
Over the years, Rosemarie has had a few narrow escapes from death. First, in 1973 she walked past a car bomb, which detonated less than an hour later, outside the Old Bailey. Secondly, a man died at the wheel of his car, which then careered out of control hitting the wall of "Your Move" in Longfield. One step further and she would have been hit. Medically, she fought Breast Cancer followed by Bowel cancer. However, Pulmonary Fibrosis could not be beaten , although she did survive 5 years longer than the doctors predicted.
Rosemarie & Martin travelled extensively in UK and Europe sometimes on their own but also through helping Martin to organise day trips, holidays and cruises for LANBARA. She was one of the original 200 members. Favorite countries Austria & Scotland. However, Canada was the tops spending over 5 weeks there.Day trips probably Thursford was the best, arranged by Ron & Sylvia Huntington.
Besides being a member of LANBARA she was else so a member of the Longfield Hill WI.
She enjoyed theatre visits and visiting National Trust & English Heritage sites especially the gardens.
She loved art and in particular painting birds & flowers in watercolour. Although she was hard on herself saying she could do better.
She loved our beautiful tabby cat, called Joe. I think you could safely say Joe was the baby we didn't have!
The last 12 months became extremely difficult for Rosemarie. Not just from the fact she that her mobility decreased but also the mental anguish of not being able to do everyday tasks. The saving grace was being able to watch on TV the tennis championships around the world, Welsh Rugby and Snooker.