Angela Maud Wayte (21 May 1935 - 18 Jan 2018)

Thank you to Elizabeth for sending the memorial sheet for Angela. Pat and I enjoyed meeting Angela when she was out visiting Pat Sherwood (deceased descendant of Kate Wayte) and I, when they visited us in Auckland, New Zealand. Sincerest conolences to you and your families. (Clifton Pat Sherwood also sadly passed away 22.12.17)

I lived with Bob and Angela in the late 80's when I was working with YFC. They always made me feel welcome and I have fond memories of living with them. When I moved away Angela would often contact me with words of encouragement, often very timely ones. I'm very grateful to have know her.

I remember one day sitting at our reflexology group meeting and sitting next to Angela, we were talking about reflexology and she said to me that she occasuonally did treatments to people who would do her favours, i.e. put up a shelf, fix a wobbly door, etc. This I have always remembered as I thought how ingenious this was to help her client and also benefit her, Angela was a lovely, kind and gentle lady. She will be sadly missed. xx

I first met Angela in 1996 when Robert officiated at our daughter's wedding. We soon became good friends and visited each other regularly as I live only a couple of miles away in Findern. It's fair to say I had always considered myself as a Christian but I was soon to realise how shallow my faith was in those days.

I telephoned her one day and Robert answered "can you ring another day Doreen, Angela isn't very good". Being a bit pushy I asked what was the matter, was she poorly. "No, just very upset at the moment so please ring later". I asked what had upset her. "Well, somebody has let her down. Her thesis is due in next week and the person who promised to do it is now unable to do so". I laughed and said it was not a problem I'd do it. He then checked if I knew all the rules etc and then the line appeared to go dead. Robert ...., Robert ...., Robert are you there - and heard a whispered 'thank you'. I told him not to thank me until I'd done the work. "I wasn't thanking you, Doreen!" in the background Angela was crying out "Hallelujah!". All I could say was Oh .....

She taught me how life can be changed through prayer, even in dark times a light will shine forth. I'm just so grateful she played a part in my life; as with all her friends, she made you feel really special.

God's blessing be with all her family.

Eulogy. Angela Wayte.

On the 21st May 1935 Angela Napper entered the world. She was the youngest of 3, her sisters being Olga and Olithia.
Aunty Angela as I called her was educated at Chichester Girls High and at the end of school was in the very first year to ever take O levels. This Angela was very proud about. Angela must have been influenced by her time at Chichester Girls high as she then moved to Derbyshire to study teacher training at Matlock High. Little to know at the time that Derbyshire would become such a part of her life.
It was in 1960 that Angela first met my Uncle Robert. They were next door neighbours. Angela was in digs opposite Roberts house in Croydon. Angela took great pleasure in watching Robert working on his car, a little Austin A7 which Robert had used string to keep the doors from flying open. I wonder if it might even have been the string and Roberts practicality with it that Angela liked. Christmas presents in later years from her often included string, rubber bands and on one occasion a toilet roll …… with a piece of string ….. attached to a fiver.
Angela liked to do things properly and while dating Robert if he wore his dog collar while they were walking she would prefer not to hold his hand. It wasn’t the right thing to be seen to do. Eventually Angela was proud to hold hands with Robert and in 1962 they walked hand in hand down the isle of Westhampnett Church in Sussex after being married. In January 1963 Robert and Angela became proud parents on the birth of my cousin Paul and then in March 1965 to my cousin Elizabeth.
It was shortly after that Angela started to not feel well and sadly due to misdiagnosis by her local Dr there were delays in the discovery that she had diabetes. If it had been diagnosed earlier perhaps some of the problems she had may not have been so acute. Angela however whenever telling the story never had a nasty thing to say about the Dr concerned and actually went out of her way to say how apologetic he was to her afterwards. Angela never had a cruel thing to say for anyone. She would argue, “well you don’t know why they did what they did. Perhaps something happened in the past to make them react that way.” This forgiving nature and argument could cause frustration and Elizabeth recalls moments as a school child where all she wanted was her mother to agree that so and so was a nasty person for saying or doing what they did. Ironically Elizabeth has found herself now using the same response to her Children. Remember your frustration Liz. Your kids may be feeling it to.
Angela despite being ill had no intention of feeling sorry for herself. There was a lot more to her than people would see. Whilst parishners may have seen her as the local vicars wife serving tea she was actually behind the scenes volunteering with citizens advice in Dawley and Cruise in Stretton. And don’t forget her teaching qualification! Angela worked with the children that schools gave up with. One story told to me by Elizabeth was of a child who’s mother was frightened of it. Before Angela visited he had assaulted the two previous teachers that had come to the home. Angela told the child if your not interested I will just sit here and do nothing but I won’t go till my time is up. So shocked by this on the 3rd visit the child opened up to Angela how he didn’t wish to be at home and Angela was able to consult with social services.
Angela was always enthusiastic to see people. I used to enjoy coming to visit for holidays and particularly remember going away in a very small gas lit caravan. It probably today would be considered acceptable for 3 but Angela and Robert managed to make it fit 6 plus the dog Kerry a gorgeous red setter. Robert and Angela would also let Paul and Elizabeth take friends with them on Canal holidays. The door you could say was always open! I do wonder if this might have been because Robert had also tried to fix it with string.
Ironically the person who may have had the hardest time walking in through the door was Robert. Angela could really laugh at herself and recalled how here in Willington she used to shout at Robert when he walked in smelling of oil and telling him how he should leave his overalls and shoes outside before coming in. Sadly when Robert died Angela realised it was the annoying things that Robert did that she missed the most. Instead of being relieved the house no longer smelt she would walk over to the local garage and stand there taking in the smell of the oil. Fortunately the owner had been a friend of Roberts and was understanding to her.
Angela was constantly striving as to how Jesus might have reacted to a situation. Angela was also very much a Lateral thinker. If something did not work she would look at doing things a different way. As her eyesight started to fail she decided if I cannot see people perhaps I can touch them instead. Angela became one of the first registered reflexologists in the UK in 1997. She worked with aids patients touching their feet and, I hope their lives to at a time when many misunderstood the disease and would have kept a distance. I remember Angela as someone who prayed lots and if she ever did your feet I can assure you, you made her prayer list. Even if she did not touch your feet I bet she still prayed for you. Angela also thought it very important to listen to God too.
I imagine Angela talked to God lots, and God let me tell you is a great listener, a lot better than any of us and believe you me if you were being told a story by Angela it was very hard to keep track. But I want to finish with an Angela story. Don’t worry its not one of the long ones, and it also does have an end.
Angela was having a nightmare day, Robert who at the time was on Kidney dialysis had had a blood spill and Paul and Elizabeth wonderful children I am sure they were had also been causing Angela problems. Angela in frustration shouted at God, “if you really do love me and care do something to prove it. And by the way God, someone knocking on the door saying I wanted to tell you Jesus loves you won’t count because I am a vicars wife and that kind of thing happens here!” Well nothing happened and days went by until a small parcel arrived in the post. In the parcel was an Icon with a picture of Jesus and a letter. The letter was from some friends who were in Greece looking round a Church when an orthodox priest who could not speak English started trying to communicate with them. It was not good as they could not speak Greek either. But through sign language and the repetitive word Papa the priest managed to explain he wanted Robert and Angela’s friends to buy an Icon for their Papa. The only Papa or Father they could think of was Robert. The priest blessed the icon and the couple posted it to Robert and Angela. In the letter they told Robert and Angela they were loved by God and he cared. The date on the letter the same day as Angela cried out.
This is a story I have held on to for years in my own struggles in my Christian life and one I also tell to others when they doubt, have forgotten or just find it hard to believe. Angela with Robert was a wonderful witness and if the bible was occasionally updated with the later Acts of the apostles that is a story that I would like to be included.
Well Angela I don’t know if you get to hear us now you are with God, but your now in a place where you will always experience God’s love and care. I would imagine your also saying we can also experience it to through Jesus. Thank you for being a wonderful witness to me in my life and I am sure to many others to.

Angela left an imprint of heaven upon my life. She was the greatest of encouragers and always made one feel valued. I can say with certainty that her prayers helped me to become who I am today. I loved her expressive, caring, thoughtful wisdom and her love of life in all of it's fullness. I look forward to our reunion around the Throne of God, but for now she is beholding the One she loved and lived for - restored and rejoicing......

I remember Aunty Angela as a combination of things: Strong, cheeky (good cheeky, if you know what I mean), impish-like, cheerful, concerned, kind hearted - and ALWAYS very honest.

I see so much of her in Elizabeth........in fact more each time I see her, and it is a joy to also see her bright and impish eyes in Juliet.

Angela will live on in our memories, and in all the people that she loved and those who were family to here.

I'm so pleased to know that, in the words of the song at the memorial, she has indeed 'flown to Jesus' and is with her Saviour now.

With love to my Aunt,

David xxxx

I first met Angela some years ago when I came to live in Findern and David Rymer was our local vicar. Robert had been to All Saints Church to take the service a few times. On this occasion we were enjoying one of David's an organised walks, which would not have been far from the villages but gave us a relaxed, informal way to get to know each other.
I was a single parent with a young son and welcomed the company and activity. I remember my first memory was of a lady walking, wearing a skirt, not something I had ever considered before and later something I found I always associated with Angela. The children were running about and adults talking when Angela came up to me. She wanted to know all about me, asking polite and considered questions, not making any judgements and offering great encouragement and interest in our story. I found her such an easy person to talk to.
Angela never forgot anything we talked about that day and whenever I encountered her afterwards she always asked after our wellbeing and wanted to know how my son was getting on in school and other activities.
When I married some years later, she again was very interested in my story and was delighted when I moved to Willington and became a regular at St Michaels Church. Now she could extend her interest in my husband too.
Angela was such a lovely lady, she was a great listener and what was more important she remembered everything she was told. She had all the time in the world for others. I shall miss her immensely but I am blessed to have met her in the first place. Angela will always be remembered fondly in my heart x