Rhianon Catherine Jones Hardy
Rhianon Catherine Jones was born on April 6, 1919 at Botegir Farm in the North Wales, Welsh-speaking village of Llanfihangel Glyn Myfyr. Welsh was her first language.
She was educated at Howell's School in Denbigh then trained as an RN at Chester Royal Infirmary, then received a midwifery certificate from the City of London Midwifery Hospital.
She married Patrick Stanley Hardy 63 years ago today on February 25, 1961 in a small chapel in the walls of Denbigh Castle. Patrick is from Bournemouth in the Southwest of England. After his service in the British Army he trained as a physical therapist. They met when both were on the staff at Greenwich Hospital.
Pat and Rhianon went to Accra, Ghana, Rhianon as a clinic nurse for United Africa Company and Pat was physical therapist at the military hospital with the Ghana Army.
After 2 years in Africa they went to Canada and worked in hospitals in northern Ontario.
The Hardys came to Siesta Key in 1970 where Pat continued working as a physical therapist for 20 more years.
They are active members of the Gulf Coast St. David's Welsh Society in Sarasota and also of the Suncoast St. David's Welsh Society in St. Petersburg. For 18 years Rhianon was Corresponding Secretary in the Sarasota Welsh Society, and she and Pat hosted Welsh Society meetings and parties in their home.
They are members of St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church on Siesta Key.
In 1991 Rhianon was honored as the "Arweinydd" (Leader) Cymru Ar Byd (Wales in the World) at the Eisteddfod at y Wyrgrug (Mold), in Wales. In 1999 she was inducted into Gorsedd Green Robe in Llangefni Shirfon (Anglesey), Wales for her contribution to Welsh language and Culture.
Herb Larrabee, 77, of Sarasota, Florida, passed away on May 16, 2023. Herb will be remembered as kind and gentle, always willing to help others. He made a difference in so many lives.
Herb was born on August 4, 1945, in Flushing, NY, to Herbert and Betty Jane Larrabee. He graduated from Chapel Hill-Chauncey Hall School in Waltham, MA and went on to attend the University of New Haven, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude.
Herb served in the Navy Submarine Service from 1970-1972. After his military service, he worked at Lockheed Martin Corporation for 32 years as an Operations Analyst. He worked on international contracts and held a Six Sigma Master Black Belt, the top of the Lean Six Sigma achievement structure. Herb was a member of St. Boniface Episcopal Church in Siesta Key, Sarasota, FL. He was also a National Sailing Judge and an expert on racing rules. He was a huge fan of Formula 1 racing. He even attended the famous Monaco Grand Prix one year.
Herb is survived by his wife of 49 years Meg, sons John (Melissa) and Drew (Sharon), his brother Philip Larrabee (Carole), granddaughter Calista, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and sisters, Linda Lockwood and Tacie Kehlhem.
A service was held at St. Boniface Episcopal Church, 5615 Midnight Pass Road, Siesta Key, Sarasota, FL 34242 on June 30, 2023.
It is with great sadness that we share the loss of Roy Deakins. Roy was born in mid-Wales, and with his wife Kathy enjoyed many of our Welsh Society activities.