Pakenham Village Tributes : Mary Scarfe

Having listened to Ian Hooper's moving tribute to Mary (reproduced in the January issue) I felt that I would like to add my own. I have known Mary for all of the 50 years since she and Tony ("T" to his friends) moved to the village. They, or should I truthfully say Mary, took over Uncle Harry Bridges' farm at Maulkins Hall. They moved into modem farming; Harry having enjoyed his horses, his Reaper and Binder and the broad headlands that he liked walking. They employed Jim Palfrey, Jack Payne, "Pop" Foreman and Harry "Fourpence" Peck (also the "Fox" darts singles champion!). It was a great sadness to Mary when the farm was sold 25 years later on moving to Dove House and they had to be made redundant. She cared for them and their families from that moment onward. She genuinely loved people and took interest in their lives. This was shown when she took over chairmanship of the Over Sixties Club from my mother. She was tireless in her caring for others. This was particularly shown when she worked with us on the Community Council during the Firefighters and other strikes in the late 1970's. Later on I served with her on the Parish Council and together walked and established the footpaths of the parish. I even persuaded her to let us reopen the Fen Road/Owell path and rebuild the bridge in 1987 right through one of her best pheasant drives!

During this time Tony was Master of the Suffolk Hunt and she was pursuing her interest and great skill in shooting. I was privileged to be invited on one of her last shoots which she directed at well over 90 with military precision; albeit supported by her long serving cousin John Woodward. As Tony got older they directed their energies into breeding race horses. Even after they had sold the foals they travelled across the country to see them race (in fact treating them as their own!). She was a devout Christian, which became clear to me during the several interviews that I survived in her sitting room. The Gin was always available if recovery required it! She was a patriot. She took an intense interest in national politics. Until quite recently she would quiz me on current affairs. I just hope she heard my answers!

As the vicar has said her contribution to the village and the work of the Church is unforgettable. In her last years she shared her life with Irene Jones her faithful and patient companion. Her other companion was her black Labrador. You will be pleased to know that Ricky will be going to live with Kevin her keeper.

Mary ...... thank you for all you have done for us in Pakenham. You will never be forgotten.

Christopher Spicer.

PV&CN - February 2008