June 22, 2004

Dear All,

A few of us in London attended Dr Symons' funeral service today which was held at a Crematorium in Leatherhead, Surrey, near where she and many of her extended family lived.

The service had been organised by Dr Symons' niece Guida and nephew Robert mainly for "family and friends" but we were made very welcome.  Angela, Carmela, Helena, Halima and her husband Jeremy, and I arrived to find that we were among a "small" attendance of about 60 people, many of them old girls (even older than us!) and their families, as well as the families of Dr Symons' brothers and sister - including three or four small children.   Guida had, of course, taught us Home Economics, and among other teachers there was Mrs O'Connell - looking almost exactly the same as she did 35 years ago! 

 Also there was Stella Lau, the current headmistress who, rather sadly, had expected to have lunch with Dr Symons on this visit.  She chatted to us, saying she was very interested in collecting and recording memories of all the old girls of the school for its 145th anniversary next year, and that she looked forward to seeing as many of us as could attend the HK reunion in October this year.

The service itself was held in the Crematorium chapel and was short and simple, and probably very much as Dr Symons herself would have liked.  The first hymn, The Lord's My Shepherd, was followed by a short  and sometimes amusing talk on her life and achievements by her nephew Robert.  I don't think I realised that she had been appointed to the Executive Council (the first female member, no less!). Then followed a reading from Ecclesiastes 3:1-13 by his daughter.  Dr Symons was obviously held in great affection as a fond and indulgent auntie by her many younger relatives.  After this came another hymn, Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer (which I do not remember being in our hymn books?), prayers and a very touching ending with the school hymn.  There was much dabbing of eyes by the time that ended!

There were many wreaths and bouquets outside on the grass, but only one in DGS colours (Halima's inspiration)!  The florist had done us proud and, despite her earlier doubts, found some maroon lilies to put among the blue delphiniums and grey background foliage.  It was very striking and beautiful and stood out among the all the whites and yellows.

We were invited to join the family afterwards for tea at the local golf club and there met and talked to many of the other old girls, including members of the DOGA who intend to organise a memorial service for Dr Symons in London later in the year.  It has been a very heartwarming and nostalgic day for for me and, I'm sure, for many others there today.

Love, Shirin