Cicely Mabel Edwards (18 Feb 1926 - 19 Jan 2022)

Here is the text of the tribute given by Anne Boggust at the funeral:
There is a sign that has hung in Cis’ kitchen for many a year – it can only be read with her voice in one’s head – “Today is not your day – and I wouldn’t hold out much hope for tomorrow either!” A warning shot meant, pretty much, for all-comers which hints at Cis’ revelling in her feisty reputation! She loved the years of friends ribbing her about a passing resemblance to a certain Hyacinth Bucket but her ‘formidable’ approach to life started early, as a girl of the 1930’s, and was unbroken until the end. On learning of her passing recently, one long-time friend said, with great affection, “I have known her since I was a teenager (60 years ago) and she has been telling me off ever since!”
But, of course, that sign has only really ever been an amusing opening gambit, evidence of a frankness and openness on which so many long-lived and loving friendships have been founded. It would be safe to say, for example, that the wonderful carers at Right at Home experienced some of Cis’ forthrightness in the early days of that relationship! But, though she could never quite understand why, all at the company responded so warmly to her energy and determination! They quickly came to appreciate that Cis was one of those remarkable people to whom others gravitated - once you were accepted into the fold, you were there forever. They, like the rest of us, were charmed by her amazing capacity to remember tiny details about everyone, and her equally amazing ability to draw those details out. Cis loved all their care and companionship, and it is wonderful to see so many from Right at Home represented here today.
As well as being such a loyal friend, such a great story-teller and such lively company who, in her prime, loved to dance and was prone to a Babycham or two, Cis had many other achievements. The most notable of these was probably the running of The Rookery Farm for so many years. Farm hand, shop-keeper, fueller of the workforce with delicious homemade specialities, and runner of the extraordinary house itself – Cis had the capacity to project manage the lot. She knew how to get things done and was very hard to say ‘no’ to!!
She was not good at everything, however. The most prominent of her ‘failings’, and the one that, perhaps, irked her the greatest, was her inability to learn to drive a car despite a lifetime on tractors! Even the, almost, entirely harmonious relationship with her beloved Doug was sorely tested by this doomed tuition process. There are various contested accounts of who ‘pulled the plug’ on her driving career, but the most charitable one is that, whilst out practising on the farm, a family of ducks waddled out into the road, without looking. Cis’ spur of the moment decision not to brake to let them pass or to carry on through the feathered family but, instead, to head for and into the duck pond appears to have been the last straw!
In many ways, however, Cis’ times on The Rookery Farm were the halcyon days, though we cannot forget just how hard and financially unrewarding the work often was. Nevertheless, it was here that Cis developed from girl to woman to wife. It was here that she supported the war effort through the production of food for the nation. (Indeed, it was here, by all accounts, that she witnessed the war take place, first-hand, through the frequent ‘dog-fighting’ of planes in the skies above, culminating one day in being in a party that went to capture a German pilot parachuting to earth.) It was here that, by supplying callers from far afield with a wonderful array of English apples, pears, plums (many varieties that now seem to have disappeared from view) and more, that she became a cornerstone of the local community. Most importantly, it was here that she made so many of the friendships which sustained her, lovingly, through her life and right up to her death – with Elizabeth and the Trussler family, Arwen and her family, Pearl and Roger, Zena and many, many others.
Cicely passed away peacefully at home at the grand age of 95. Her death, even so, was somewhat of a surprise - despite her seniority, she was as mentally 'razor-sharp' and spirited as ever, and I think we all expected her to reach 100 without difficulty! Nevertheless, though she was interesting and interested company for all who saw her or kept in contact by phone, wonderful people like Susan, Fred and Sheila, it was clear that the prospect of meeting up again with her darling Doug was her chief source of comfort, and a focus of her daily prayers. Characteristically, she had no doubts that this heavenly meet up would take place. She has her wish now, and after such a rich life, that can only make us all very happy. Their relationship was so special. Photos of their diamond wedding celebrations abound, and, of course, it was Doug who knew her and loved her best. In one letter from Doug to Cis from Christmas 1945, he writes, “I should like to thank you for the happy years we have spent together and it has been you that have made them like beautiful dreams”. We know that they shared this special bond in life and that, once Doug can be dragged in from feeding his heavenly tomatoes, it can now continue for eternity. Cis’ wish is for her ashes to be mingled with Doug’s and for them to be scattered on Exmoor – location of so many happy holidays, led by Eddie, with her closest family and friends.

Cis was a fiercely loving sister of her adored brother, Snowy, and always a supportive sister-in-law. She was a much-loved aunt of Davina, Paul and Simon, and great aunt of Joseph, Olivia and Ashley. We, her family, friends and the local community, will all miss Cis so much - her care, her inquisitiveness, her indomitable spirit, and her vital role in allowing us to link back to different times: different family and friends, many now long gone; different stories and memories; and to a different, rural agricultural era for the area. We will not see her like again.

Remembering Cis, a very special Swanwick Lane friend and neighbour.
You will be very much missed, especially by Dick.
Rest in Peace now, Cis, united with your beloved husband Doug.

I had the pleasure of looking after Cicely during her stay at Netley Court. Cicely was a kind and lovely lady, who always made me smile and could talk endlessly to about anything and everything. Sending my condolences to her family, my thoughts are with you and all those I know who's life she touched.

In memory of a lovely lady and dear family friend.