Mrs Beryl Druce
Beryl was born in Guayaquil, Ecuador, where she lived until 1939 when she moved with her sister, Evelyn to Santiago, Chile to stay with Granny Beechy until early 1943 when Beryl and Evelyn travelled by ship (on their own, aged 12 and 10) back to Guayaquil. In October 1945 the whole family now comprising four sisters with Agnes and Mary, came back to the UK on the Troop ship SS Rangitiki, leaving behind long-standing friends especially Diane, Marguerita and Gilda. Throughout Beryl's life her friendship with Diane took them to many venues worldwide - it was a special friendship – one of many that lasted a lifetime!
The Heselton family arrived on November 5 at Southampton, in thick fog with sirens sounding in the murky Solent as they docked. From there to St Albans where the younger girls Agnes and Mary, stayed and Beryl and Evie went to spend Christmas with Aunty Ruby - who soon saw the need to knit the girls some woolly vests as they weren't used to the cold English winter weather.
The family were reunited at a large flat in West Hampstead, Marlborough Mansions, in early 1946, when post-war rationing was still in place. Two sisters, remembered by friends Barbara and Hannah for their long blond plaits started at Henrietta Barnett in 1946.
After school Beryl started work as a secretary, at an office in Pall Mall - which gave a good vantage point for the Queen's Coronation procession.
Beryl was very active in the '52 Club and this is where she met her husband to be, Neville. Much fun with Pantos and friends Helen and John Chick, Jill Moate, Michael, Jennifer and Ken, Valerie, Sally and David, Gwenda & Reece, Jack and Jill Purdy and so many more!
Beryl and Neville married in Emmanuel Church, West Hampstead in August 1954 with three sisters as bridesmaids and one pageboy - a very dapper Michael Heselton. Her dress was made of lace and made by Aunty Betty in the style of Queen Elizabeth's wedding dress.
The Druce family with two daughters Katrina and Nicolette settled in Erskine Hill in 1960 and this was to be Beryl's home for the rest of her - long- life.
Beryl was supportive of her husband Neville's decision to leave the BBC and to a start a company, Better Sound, with his friend Michael Colomb, which led to the formation of Audio Engineering in 1965. Former neighbour from Coleridge Walk, Molly Davies lent Neville & Beryl £100 to help start their new company. Molly's faith in the couple was rewarded many times over with the company providing jobs for many. It was this link with the Davies family which had brought Brian & Graham Clark and others to work for the company straight from school back in the early days.
Beryl worked as a Company Director until she was 81 years old! Employees were valued as if they were family, she was known for her kindness, generosity and listening ear, always concerned about other people. Known for her lovely smile and sense of humour. She kept the company going as long as possible after her husband Neville's death in 1999, with the support of many loyal friends/employees some of whom had been with Audio Engineering most of their working lives.
The Company closed in 2015 - Beryl was really proud of all that had been achieved and of her many loyal staff who had supported her willingly.
Beryl loved cruising!
She went around the world with husband Neville in the 90's, meeting up with Ron and Diane on board, cousin Mary in Australia and friend Anne Crosbie in South Africa. They also stopped off to see Nicolette in Turkey. There were other cruises to all corners of the world, including a solo trip to Antarctica to see her favourites - THE PENGUINS!. She commented that they were a bit smellier than expected and although she was advised to keep away from them the curious penguins had other ideas. On one trip she visited Aunty Peggy in the convent of Sacred Heart in Puerto Monte. Somehow Beryl managed to take a special but illicit box of chocolates through customs for Aunty Peggy to enjoy - Beryl persuaded the customs that it was alright as they were for religious purposes!
Beryl continued cruising until 2017 and had in fact got another one booked for the end of January 2018.
Beryl loved her garden!
She spent hours de-heading her favourite '"rhodos" which Neville had planted many decades back, and which still give a wonderful display of blooms in late Spring. Looking at her garden gave her great happiness.
A well-known face on the Suburb, Beryl often stopped to chat whilst out shopping on a Saturday. Dr Vadgama in Temple Fortune was a regular stopping place for an interesting chin wag. She made many good friends at Abbeyfield when she stayed there temporarily for six months whilst work was done on her house - so much so that she felt it a wrench to leave. However, Beryl remained a regular for lunch after an invitation from Lynn and Lucy for some lovely home cooked food following a spell of illness. Her favourites were fish and chips on a Friday and the lovely Sunday roasts. Beryl always felt welcome at Abbeyfield and considered it a privilege to go there, she really valued the company and friendship she found there.
After Aunty Ruby, aged 102, died in 2005 - Beryl became 'Head of the Family' with many names to be known by. She was known as Granny Berry to her Great Grandchildren Emily, Alfie and Daisy, abbreviated to GB by great-nephews Ted and Rupert. Granny to Jess and Tim, god-parent to many, eldest sister, sister-in-law, Mother and Aunty, to say nothing of cousin and second cousin! She will be fondly remembered by many as Mrs D. or Mrs Druce from Audio Engineering.
Beryl loved the family, loved family parties - of which there were many on the Suburb, organising Ruby's 90th and 100th birthday celebrations. Always she wanted to hear news of the family, loved writing letters - especially Thank You letters. Many will remember a note coming from her finished - 'written in great haste' usually as she hurried for the bus to work. She remembered everyone's birthday - even in the last days of her life she remembered that 14th of January is her brother-in-law Raymond's birthday.
Her catch phrases were - "I'm not stopping!" "I'll just do the washing-up before I go, I've got my rubber gloves here!" "I won't take my coat off!" and thoughtful little jokey presents were often given and labelled 'From the Robin at 68'. In difficult times she often said 'Nil desperandum' and 'que sera sera', phrases that she used all her life, right up to the end of it.
Family and work colleagues will remember Beryl's love of post-its to communicate a quick reminder or message. When the offices closed, her little yellow notes were still on the walls from the front to the back of the building- reminders to remember keys - put out milk bottles- lock up - and shut doors carefully. Always polite and always with a 'Thank You' to finish.
Beryl felt that she had had a happy life and had done everything that she wanted to do. She was always grateful and always thanked everyone for all that they did for her. She was cheerful and laughing to the end of her life, loved, admired and respected by all who knew her.