Some club members may already have heard but Dick Parkins has asked me to formally relay this bad news.
It is with great sorrow that we have to announce the passing of Gwen Parkins, a much-loved member and supporter of Old Yardleians, particularly during the 1970's and 80's.
Gwen was married to Dick Parkins who was the club's treasurer for five years from 1980 through 1985.
'Dick and Gwen' used to live in Balsall Common but decided to retire to a rural home in the beautiful Derbyshire countryside near Buxton - where they could properly indulge their love of animals.
Due to the distance involved they didn't travel to the club as often as they would have liked, but it was great to see them both at the club's 90th anniversary party at the Village Hotel in 2017.
In the same year they attended the 1st XV's away league game at Leek Rugby club.
Gwen had a fall back in January and suffered a broken leg. It was during her stay in hospital that she was diagnosed with a fast-acting cancer to which she finally succumbed on the 9th of June, aged just 69.
Due to the restrictions of the times, Gwen was cremated on Wednesday 24th June at a ceremony with a limited number of family and friends.
Gwen was one of the loveliest people you could hope to meet, a kind and gentle lady who loved people and had a huge devotion to her menagerie of pets.
She will be missed by all who knew her, but especially those club members who had the privilege of her company during the annual Xmas/New Year’s Eve walking holidays in Wales and Derbyshire.
Rest in Peace 'Auntie Gwen' xx