Daphne Margaret Everitt

17.04.1929 - 29.02.2024

Funeral Service Information

Graveside Service at St Mary's Church, North Creake on Thursday, 14 March, 2024 at 12:15 pm followed by interment in the Churchyard.

Funeral Home: TFS - Kings Lynn

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Dearest Mom, for nearly 95 years, from Shanghai to Shammar, you brought beauty, love and joy in to your life and ours. May you rest in blessed peace, forever free.

Alexandra

Jeremy and Daphne

Greg

Growing up in Cape Town, as a small boy country yokel, very much a fish out of water, I remember countless examples of (Aunt) Daphne's kindness and generosity and love in helping me find my way. The numerous visits to her folks' (beach) cottage in Bakoven -- she encouraged me to swim in the icy cold sea, I never took to that --, staying a few weeks at 62 Dean Street, the week she and Uncle John lent me their apartment in Disa Park so I could study for finals. The time she picked me up after I had four teeth out, the time I piped up about a song on the car radio (Alan Garity -- put your hand in the hand) with a comment that was bleeding obvious, but I thought was a novel idea, and she hushed dear Kathryn, so many wonderful memories. I am just her nephew, but I am sure that everyone who crossed her path, with some need, received the same love and generosity. God bless, Daphne, may you rest in peace. Our world is poorer without you.

Jeremy Boyd

Daphne, you were an amazing mentor for me growing up, and beyond: beautiful, wise, so creative with a wonderful sense of humour. I still have the silver earrings you made for me, and will never forget how kind and welcoming you were. Thank you for everything - the world will feel emptier without you. Sending my cousins and their families so much love.

Jane Underwood

GRAVESIDE TRIBUTE FROM DAPHNE'S FAMILY: We are here to celebrate the life of my mother, Daphne Margaret Boyd Everitt. How do you commemorate the life of someone who was born in Shanghai at a time when that city still had its international settlement? Who then moved to England and on to South Africa, grew up strong and got married and had a family there; and who then had the courage to move countries and get remarried at the age of 74, and to enjoy a happy and productive life together with Jeremy until he passed away 4 years ago? Someone who had lost most of her sight in the past few years but still managed to live independently with grace and style, staying in close contact with friends and family – to such an extent that she was the primary source of information if you wanted to find out anything that was happening in our lives? My mother left big shoes that will never be filled, as did Jeremy before her. She came from a generation that didn’t complain, and quietly got on and did what needed to be done – all the while caring for her extended family and forming lasting friendships with people from all walks of life. She was born in 1929, the daughter of Sidney and Lilian Hill, in the then International Settlement at Shanghai in China. Though she left Shanghai when she was only seven, my mother retained treasured her memories of her time there. Hearing the haunting melody set in the Cathedral School in Shanghai in the film The Empire of the Sun brought tears to her eyes. After leaving Shanghai her family moved to England and then on to South Africa where her dear sister Lesley was born. There my mother attended Roedean School and won a scholarship to Rhodes University, where she played the violin in the orchestra – first fiddle, what else? – and excelled in French. At university she also met her future husband, my father John Boyd, who was then an architectural student after serving in the Second World War. They married soon after qualifying and brought up their family in Cape Town, and in 1986 retired to the beautiful lagoon setting of Knysna (where her daughter Alex and son-in-law Jeremy now live). Following John’s passing, in 2003 Daphne visited Norfolk (an area she had last been to with her parents in the 1930s), and here she met and married Jeremy Everitt. Jeremy provided love, steadiness and support to my mother and we could see her happiness and contentment whenever we met her. She shared his love of nature and of course his much-loved dogs, and Jeremy and Daphne shared a true companionship until his death in 2020. Whether creating a warm and happy home, studying for her Masters degree, sewing or making silver jewelry, our mother always took delight in learning, not only about the world around her, but also about the people who came into her life – all reflecting an extraordinary range of interests. While she loved to chat about our news, she was also fascinated with the stars and the sky at night, with new discoveries and ancient cultures, with books, people and places. A big fan of Isaac Newton. Daphne had time for everyone. She truly listened, and believed that everyone had a need and a right to be heard. She loved to travel and explore, and even at 94 years of age she was still courageously independent, and brought a deep sense of joy to every day. Her devotion to her family was complete. Her support, love and gentle guidance have helped us through life’s challenges and joys. And she remained a mother right up until the end. In a phone call with me just before her recent short illness, she expressed deep concern when she heard that I had ordered a takeaway pizza for dinner, and was very worried about my nutrition. And I have to say that with her passing I have now lost my main source of news of family, of events in Norfolk and even of events around the world. Daphne, you will be sorely missed, and will be fondly remembered by us your family, and by all who knew you. We will always remember you as supportive and loving. May you remain steadfast and strong, and may you experience prodigious peace. You deserve it.

Greg

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Extremely professional, very high standards, couldn’t ask for any better. Would recommend Thornalleys 100%. Andrew was very attentive, kind and nothing was too much to ask, made the whole process that little bit easier.

Jurate Green