76 English Bridge February 2016 www.ebu.co.uk

JEAN WIGHTMAN (Leicestershire): It is with great

sadness that the LCBA has to announce the death of

Jean Wightman who became the LCBA's first ever

lady grandmaster in 2001.

Jean was one of the founders of Oadby BC in the

late 1960s where she encouraged the development

of students at the local school.

In 1975 she joined the LCBA committee as

Bulletin Secretary and remained on the committee

for the next ten years.

A regular player at national congresses she also

won several LCBA trophies including the Olga Cup,

Gimson Trophy, Joyce Cup and Otto & Edith

Trophy. She played regularly for the 1st team in the

Midlands County League.

A full obituary can be found on the LCBA website.

BERYL ABSALOM (Surrey): Beryl, who has died aged

85, was a highly talented player with great table

presence. She won many county and national events

and was a delight to partner.

She also won every prize - some more than once -

at Selsdon Bridge Club. She will be sadly missed

both there and at Coulsdon where she played every

Monday.

TOM GUNN (London): We are sad to report the

death of Tom Gunn after a long battle with cancer.

Tom was a host at the Young Chelsea Bridge Club

for many years and was always a popular and sought

after partner, both for his excellent bridge skills and

his cheerful demeanour. He will also be

remembered fondly for his care and kindness to

Warwick Pitch, the club's founder, in his failing

years.

AILEEN BRYANT (North-East): Sadly we report the

sudden and unexpected death of Aileen Bryant on

18th November 2018 at the age of 77 years. Aileen

played at a number of clubs, but more recently she

had served as a proactive member of the Morpeth

Bridge Club where she had been Treasurer for the

last seven years. In earlier years Aileen achieved

much success dedicating a lot of her time to

teaching bridge. Aileen was a delightful lady who is

greatly missed by all her bridge friends.

LESLIE ROWE (Norfolk): Les Rowe who died on 3rd

November joined the Norfolk & Norwich Bridge

Club in 1978 and had given valuable service in his

time as a member. Les was Treasurer from 1989 to

1997 and President in 2002-3. This impressive

contribution was recognised with his being elected

an Honorary Member in the following year.

As a partner or opponent Les was ever courteous

evincing the same competence and forbearance as

was evident when carrying out his duties as

Treasurer. In his time as an active player, Les joined

in formidable partnerships, particularly with Philip

Cozens and Ron Binks winning trophies and

representing the Club in both the Allwood Wharton

and the Committee Cup. On the very rare occasions

that Les had taken an overly optimistic view of a

hand which he was about to table as dummy he

would say, 'partner you may be a trifle disappointed

with this.' This remark was typical of his dry but

ever kindly wit.

Les was never a man to push himself forward but

was always ready to lend a hand and, when asked,

always gave sound advice. Someone as dependable

and generous as Les will be greatly missed.

JOHN MASSEY (Norfolk): Sadly we report the death

of John Massey, who died on Sunday 18 October

after a long, stubborn fight against cancer. He was a

long-standing and active member of the Norfolk

and Norwich Bridge Club. As a player, John was

very competent, easy to play with, and at all times

courteous to both partner and opponents. He had

a lovely gentle wit and could usually make even the

most dour of opponents smile.

On two occasions, John represented the Club in

the team which won the Allwood-Wharton Trophy

- the County Inter-Club Teams Championship. He

also played regularly in the County BC teams over a

number of years.

As well as being an active player, John served on

the Committee for several years, including terms as

Chairman and Treasurer. As Chairman, he

provided sensible and efficient leadership at a tricky

time for the Club. It was during his chairmanship

that exchange visits were arranged with a Bridge

Club in Koblenz, one of Norwich's twin cities. John

and his wife May led the intrepid travellers. Teams

In Memoriam

In Memoriam