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Tribute to Shirley:
‘loving and devoted’
MORE than 170 people paid their respects to a ‘loving and devoted’ RAFA secretary who died after losing her battle with cancer.
Grandmother-of-two Shirley Gawan, 76, was honorary secretary for the Haywards Heath branch of the Royal Airforce Association (RAFA). She also served as WINGS co-ordinator and was responsible for the branch raising £25,000 through charity work.
Shirley, from Lowfield Road, Haywards Heath, died on January 18 after losing her battle with bladder cancer which spread to her kidney and lymph system.
The popular mum-of-one was nominated for an MBE last year for her charity work but it was too late for the 2012 New Year’s Honours List. She did receive the highest award the RAF Association can bestow – the National Presidential Certificate.
Shirley’s daughter Fiona said: “As a family we are all extremely proud and Shirley did know about this, just before she passed away, and was humbled and elated and extremely proud.”
On January 31 a funeral service was held for Shirley at St Paul’s Church, Haywards Heath, where 172 people turned out to pay their respects. There was a guard of honour and 12 RAF veterans paraded into the church with a RAFA standard flag and official RAFA wreath on the coffin. At the end of the service ‘The Last Post’ was sounded.
Shirley was born in Beckenham, Bromley, in 1935. She married in 1955, moving to Haywards Heath in 1989. During her lifetime she worked as a secretary in a fish wholesaler, a secretary at the Met Office, the Civil Service and the Health Service. She also worked for the Transport and Road Research laboratory and joined the special constabulary at Surrey Police.
Shirley was very talented – for her wedding day she made eight dresses, her own wedding dress, the headdresses and all the catering for more than 100 people. She did the same for her daughter’s wedding and even made her own clothes, curtains, cushions, bed linen – and shirts and suits for her husband.
Fiona said: “She loved music, especially opera, and played the guitar and piano. She loved to play tennis and was very proud of her MG Midgit which she drove everywhere.”
Shirley made floral bouquets three times for royalty including Princess Anne and Princess Alexandra. She also did the catering for Princess Anne’s official opening of the Princess Royal Hospital, but the Princess wasn’t allowed to eat anything in case of poison.
Fiona said: “The officials rushed to Iceland and bought a trolley load of frozen cream sponges, which she didn’t eat either, the doctors and staff had a feast when she had gone!
“My mum was a Girl Guide leader and formed many Guide companies, and she was very proud to have met Lady Baden Powell.
“Her charity work and consideration for others was never ending and she, along with Dad, would offer the hand of help and friendship to whoever was in need.
“Mum put her heart and soul into RAFA, used her organising and persuasive skills working so hard with Dad to try to get what was a smallish branch into what you know today. She worked hard but she enjoyed every minute.
“We will all miss Mum so much. I will miss her so much, my best friend.”
RAFA president Reg Barker said: “Shirley was far more than the branch secretary. She embraced every aspect of branch activities and she excelled in everything she did.”
Shirley’s family said they wanted to thank St Peter and St James Hospice.
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Weather for Haywards Heath
Sunday 27 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 26 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Light showers
Temperature: 13 C to 25 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: North west
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