On a wet afternoon there was a good turn out for this service. The Rector Charles Miller got stuck in M40 motorway traffic and arrived a little late so the curate filled in.
Highlights..
Mr Russel Hobby gave a family tribute
The Choir of St Nics school sang ‘Love me Tender’. Pat liked Elvis and taught at St Nics and would have loved this.
Nigel Warner, town clerk, gave a civic tribute
Then there were tea and cakes in the side aisle.
Thanks to Sue for sending this picture…
8 Cadets from Abingdon joined with other cadets from Oxford, Milton Keynes and High Wycombe to form a team from Ox & Bucks district, taking part in the Area Paddlespprts Regatta at Reading. Pictured are the Abingdon team (plus team dog, Rosco). Some are going on to the national final.
The Sea Cadets were one of Patricia Hobby’s charities. The boxing club gym fund was the other. Sue and her daughter – one of Pat Hobby’s Mayoral Cadets – were at Pat’s service yesterday at the crematorium.
It was a family service but the family had given an open invitation to friends and colleagues of Pat to join them. The retiring collection was for Pat’s charities.
One of her two sons gave a tribute to his mother. He said that Pat was a very determined lady. Their father died unexpectedly and she had to be mother and father to her two boys from very early on. Pat did everything in her power to give them a good start in life, along with all the other children she taught in Abingdon.
During her year as Mayor Pat also showed great determination. She had not let on how ill she really was and carried on with her duties.
I accompanied her to the air and country show, and we walked around saying hello to so many stall holders, and saw some ex pupils. It was cold, and we were making our way back, not before time, when she stopped to watch something that made her laugh… the sheep dogs hurding geese.
At the service yesterday, her other son read The 23rd Psalm… The Lord is My Shepherd …
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil:
For thou art with me;
Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me…
I am sad to report that the Abingdon Flag is flying half mast for the second time in three months. This time we ALL regret the passing of Patricia Hobby, our Mayor until a few weeks ago.
Many people in Abingdon will better remember Pat as a primary school teacher. When I ever accompanied her we would meet ex-pupils glad to see her, and she would remember them.
I remember David Fleming saying about Pat “One abiding memory of Pat at school was that she used to grow butterflies in her classroom, from caterpillar to butterfly. Her class was always colourful – with a flowery theme, as befitted her interest in Abingdon in Bloom.“