She out-lived Neville, he husband and an equally prominent servant of the game, by 21 years.
Barbara was heavily involved in hockey for over 50 years. She will be best remembered for three things, being secretary and later personal assistant to two former Hockey Association Hon Secretary’s; for organising for countless years the world famous Folkestone Easter Hockey Festival and for running the London and Home Counties Hockey Fixture Conference.
She was awarded the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Medal when it was recorded “She holds a unique position in the administration of men’s hockey in England. She has given unstintingly of her time and energy to a sport in which she is totally involved and to which she is utterly devoted”.
Robin Struthers, the then Hon. Secretary of the Hockey Association, was quoted as saying, “She is a walking encyclopaedia of hockey”.
Her health had been deteriorating for some time.
Last week she had a fall at home and broke her hip. It was necessary to operate but unfortunately she survived only a short time after the operation.
Barbara’s funeral will not be held for at least a fortnight so that her American relatives can be present.
Patrick Rowley
