Davina Grace Garner 1930 - 2019
Borley Church was full, with many standing, on Monday 11th February 2019 for a service of thanksgiving for the life of Mrs Davina Garner - a very well-known and respected local lady - who died on 20th January aged 88. The service was conducted by Team rector Rev'd Margaret King and the organist was Tim Stone. The poem "She's gone" was read by granddaughter Selina White.
In a most affectionate and moving tribute to her Mum, Mrs Dorothy White spoke of a wonderful and beautiful person who was adored by her family for her devotion and care. She was never heard to speak ill of anyone and always saw only the best in people. Davina was born at Brick Wall Farm in Gestingthorpe on 4th April 1930 - the youngest of four (two boys, two girls) of Sydney and Grace Halls. She attended Gestingthorpe School leaving at the age of 14 to care for several years for her ill mother. She later worked for a time in the village but this changed when she met and married, in 1949, Stuart Garner, a Borley farmer,. They settled into a happy married life and along came four daughters - Dorothy, Sally, Sylvia and Diane. Sadly Stuart died in 1960 aged just 35 leaving Davina a widow at 30. To lose a greatly adored husband and father was a devastating blow to this young family but Davina proved to be an inspiring and strong character utterly committed to the care of her daughters and with a determination to make the best of this terribly tragic situation. When the youngest daughter started school Davina began a career in the school meals service working at Foxearth and then Belchamp St. Pauls until retirement. Davina always treasured her four beautiful daughters - and their four wonderful husbands, a thought echoed by Dorothy as she thanked them on behalf of her sisters for their love and support. Outside of the family Davina loved watching racing at Newmarket and playing cards; she enjoyed her cats and dogs and was passionate about her colourful garden - hence the instruction to today's assembly "wear a splash of colour!"
Dorothy expressed the family's grateful appreciation for the love and care her mother had received from the staff at Melford Court and Glastonbury Court nursing homes in her final months.
Davina was laid to rest in Borley churchyard. Stuart's advice to her "have a good life then come back to me" had surely been taken. For the love and concern that Davina showed - and which was reciprocated, not just by her family but by her many friends - she will be greatly missed but fondly remembered. We offer to her sister Dorothy, her sister in law Beryl, her daughters, sons in law, grand and great grand children our sincerest condolences.
Ken Nice