Farnham and Alton Methodist Circuit

Florence Medhurst
1909 – 2008
(The Webmaster knew Flo Medhurst since his childhood and
attended her funeral in Teignmouth on 30th April)

“Flo” Medhurst, who has died aged 98 in Teignmouth, was a loyal, active and devoted member of Farnham Methodist Church for more than 50 years.

Flo was born Florence Gardiner in 1909 in a rural part of Durham. The family included six children and she had two older sisters and three younger brothers. Life was hard in those days, particularly when the family had to move to Spennymoor so her father could take a job as a miner. She lived there through the First World War and could recall seeing a Zeppelin on one occasion.

Although she was bright and was offered a place at a grammar school, her family could not afford for her to go and she left school at fifteen to go into service in Scarborough. Flo loved to dance and was quite accomplished, particularly at the Charleston.

Later, she took a job in Sussex, where she met Frederick Medhurst, in the same employ as herself. They fell in love, were married and moved to London. Two daughters were born whilst they were in London – Molly and Muriel. When war broke out in 1939, they moved to Edward Road, Farnham. In 1944, their third daughter Janet was born.

Family life in the Medhurst household was always lively – the author can testify to this himself as our families were close and we visited each other frequently, often around Christmas. There were parties at which games, drama and music would take place. Flo had a good sense of humour and nurtured a warm, cheerful and loving family.

Flo had always been a Methodist and was very active in our church and other Farnham organisations such as WI and TWG, as well as singing in local choirs. She was proud of the fact that her father had been an organist, choirmaster and Methodist preacher in their Durham church. She had a passion for music, particularly hymn singing.

She had an involvement in most of our church activities during her years in Farnham. She was a founder member of the Women’s Fellowship and the Prayer Group. In her later years, she gained huge comfort from the Prayer Group meetings.

Sadly, Fred died in 1971, but she kept herself very active for many years, moving to Crundwell Court in East Street. She loved to travel and made many big journeys including a crossing of the Atlantic on the QE2. Her three daughters all married and she was delighted to get three sons-in-law and two grandchildren, Neal and Yvonne then, in recent years, two great grandchildren Sarah and Rachel.

Flo moved to Teignmouth 11 years ago to be close to Janet and husband John. Flo was singing hymns almost up to the time of her death – despite a failing memory she could remember all the words of her favourite hymns perfectly.

Flo had a strong Christian faith. She communicated this to many of those around her including her grandson, Neal, who is an Anglican vicar in Yorkshire and who officiated at Flo’s funeral in Teignmouth on 30^th April.

Florence Medhurst will be greatly missed by those who knew her – but we can be glad that she had a life that achieved a great deal in both human and spiritual terms.

Return to Report Index

Back to Homepage