Olwyn Dale

“Forever in our hearts”

Today we are here to reflect on Olwyn’s life and be thankful for the
lasting impression she made on those who knew her.
She was a very loving wife, mother and grandmother, but she was also a
very loyal and true friend to many of us.
In 1943, Olwyn was born in Manchester to Harry and Joyce Davies. A
short time later, the family came back to Crewe to live and her brother
Karl was born there in 1946. Seemingly all the family enjoyed days out
with their motorbike and sidecar. On one trip to Southport they ran into a
really heavy thunderstorm. They had to stop and take shelter. So, all four
of them climbed into the sidecar: A very tight squeeze. Obviously there
was no Health & Safety in those days but definitely a spirit of adventure.
After completing her education, Olwyn left school at 15, and started
working in Liptons the grocers on Market Street. Shortly after that she
transferred to the offices at Rolls Royce. Already she had started to form
strong friendships, which have lasted throughout her life.
Whilst working at Rolls Royce she met Mick and they became a couple.
In 1965, they married and next month they would have celebrated their
56th wedding anniversary. Their two sons, Ian and Craig were born a few
years later. By 1971 their happy family was complete. Well almost
complete, because in 1996 they were delighted to welcome their
Grandson, Jay into the Dale family.

Olwyn was a very proud grandmother and always spoke fondly of Jay.
She enjoyed picking him up from school when he was small. She would
spend hours in the garden, watching him play football with his dad, Craig
and she spoke of him often with great pride.

It’s hard to talk about Olwyn without including Mick because they have
always done everything together. They have so many shared memories
and, although at the moment it may be difficult, it is that wealth of love,
adventure and togetherness, which will be a source of strength to the
whole family in the coming months.

Both of them worked hard and they always enjoyed their leisure time.
From the beginning they had a love of the open road so travelling was
important to them. Outings began on their motorbike and sidecar, they
progressed to a bubble car, a beautiful old Daimler, a caravan and a
succession of smart black cars to take them on their journeys. Initially
their holidays were at a beach hut in Talacre, but when they bought their
caravan their summer months were filled with weekend trips around
Britain. Most Fridays, Olwyn prepared the caravan for their trips. It was
ready by the time the boys were home from school and Mick was back
from work. Then off they would go to wherever they had planned and
Olwyn spent Monday tidying up the caravan for next week’s jaunt.

As the boys grew older the caravan went but Olwyn and Mick often
travelled to favourite or new places. I remember Mick regaling us with
the story of a funny and memorable visit to the Isle of Man. Olwyn sat in
the background making the occasional dry comment, which made the
story more hilarious.

Later they became more adventurous. There were unforgettable month-
long driving holidays in Canada, Australia and South Africa with their
good friends Maureen and Colin.

All of Olwyn’s friends were extremely important to her. Wednesday
night get-togethers with Sheila and the girls were special, each of them
taking turns going around each other’s houses. Olwyn also enjoyed going
down to Portsmouth to meet up with Rose and Mick. She met Rose when
she worked at Liptons. As children Ian, Craig and Rose’s sons, Simon
and Darren got on well and played together and, no doubt, caused lots of
mischief when they met up. Very happy times.

Olwyn was a very caring person and the latter part of her working life she
helped sick and disabled people in both a care home setting and in their
own homes. These elderly ladies loved her and their families trusted,
respected and relied on her.

This kindness and care was naturally extended to her own family. She
deeply felt the loss of her parents, brother and cousin and was always
willing to support those left behind with a kind word and a helping hand..

I first met Olwyn and Mick on their wedding day. I then became a
relative by my marriage to John, her cousin. We enjoyed many happy
occasions including, weddings, christenings, parties and other get-
togethers, often joined by Karl and his wife, Jenny.

There have been sad times as well. Both Olwyn and Mick were
particularly supportive while John was ill and each weekend, to help me,
they would take my young children out for day trips. My son, Steve,
happily joined his cousins, Ian and Craig, being of a similar age. My
lively 3-year-old daughter joined them: A whole new experience for
Olwyn, who recalled Kathryn sitting on an opened bag of fish and chips
in their lovely new car. That event was often mentioned in our chats

throughout the years. The memory must have been etched in Olwyn’s
mind, but it wasn’t a problem: it was just treated as a light moment during
a difficult time.

Almost 30 years later my daughter left home to live in Australia. We
were living in Scotland at that time but Olwyn and Mick travelled up to
my house to join us for Kath’s farewell party. That’s the kind of couple
they were, they probably didn’t even think about how much we
appreciated that gesture.

We fondly remember Olwyn’s generosity, kindness and her funny
infectious laugh. We mourn her passing, as we loved her dearly.

These are not just our sentiments. Others also share them.

Jenny remembers that when she met Karl, Olwyn warmly welcomed her
into their family and became not only her sister-in-law, but also a good
friend. They spent many memorable times together.

Her nieces, Nicola and Louise will fondly remember Aunty Olwyn for
her sense of humour and making them laugh. Olwyn has been a great
support for Jenny after she lost Karl nearly 10 years ago and will be sadly
missed for her continued friendship.

The last few years have been hard, as both her and Mick have faced
numerous health problems, but she bore it all with both bravery and
stoicism. Thankfully, Craig and Ally were at home to give them practical
help and support. Their unconditional care and attention should be
acknowledged. They have given to Olwyn the devotion, which she had

always given to others. Ian also has been around to visit regularly and,
accompanied by Debbie, he would drive them to different parts of
England, so that they could enjoy a short break.

So now, as we say our final goodbye to Olwyn, let us look back on the
happy times and the wonderful memories. Let us remember Olwyn as the
kind, happy, practical, stoic and caring person that she was. That way she
will never be forgotten and always be in our thoughts.

God bless her.

On 28th January 2021 Olwyn sadly passed away at Leighton Hospital aged 77 years.

Her funeral took place on Monday 15th February 2021 at Crewe Crematorium.

Arthritis UK was the families chosen charity for donations in memory of Olwyn who will be very sadly missed.