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On Sunday morning, March 26, at Brierley, we lost our longest-serving
member. Ella Deighton joined the Wesleyan Methodist Church in 1929, and
at the age of 17, began work as a Sunday School teacher. She also became
a member of the choir, and was still a member of the choir at the time
of her death. She worked with children in the church most of her life.
One of her earliest ventures was to enrol children in the Christian
Herald's Golden Star Brigade (Motto: Look up and aim high). She
registered their membership with the paper and obtained their Golden
Star Badges, and held weekly Brigade meetings in the church. Many will
also remember the Operettas that she wrote and produced with the
children in later years. These included 'The Snowflake Fairies and 'The
Rival Princes'. Script was written by Ella and the lyrics sent by
airmail to brother Wally, then serving with the RAF in the Far East. He
wrote the music and airmailed it back, very often a frantic last -minute
affair. Ella designed all the costumes, and pressed family, friends and
church members into stitching them together, and also manufacturing
scenery. Tears and heartache went into every production, but it was
always all right on the night. In 1936, along with her sister Elizabeth,
she spent some months working at Cliff College. In 1956 she started the
1st Brierley company of the Girls' Brigade and was its Captain until
1987 when on her retirement she received a framed certificate, for her
'devotion to the movement', which certificate she greatly treasured. She
was also in partnership with Arnold Beckett, involved in inaugurating
the Boys' Brigade in the church. She and Arnold canvassed house to house
to enlist members. Both movements still thrive in the church. In July
1979, Ella received a certificate from the Society for the Protection of
Life From Fire, for having entered the blazing house of a neighbour, in
an attempt to save his life. Unfortunately he had already died through
inhaling smoke. When Rob Frost's 'Gospel End' was produced in Barnsley,
Ella took part, and was accepted to perform her part in the London
production at the Commonwealth Institute Theatre. She was the oldest
person nationwide to have taken part. In her early life she spent some
periods working away from home, including war work on munitions. At the
time of retiring she was a progress clerk for British Jeffrey Diamond in
Wakefield. Eighty-seven years old at the time of her death, Ella still
had her offices in the church, being a pastoral steward and the
Birthdays secretary for the Women's Fellowship. The last named job
simply involved sending birthday cards to the members. Ella went one
step further, and for each member she wrote a verse of greeting
particularly suited to themselves and their circumstances. These little
poems were greatly appreciated. On February 12, as she was getting out
of bed, Ella suffered a massive stroke and was taken to hospital by
emergency ambulance. Although things seemed to be going well at first
her condition deteriorated after she had been moved to Mount Vernon
hospital. Owing to the effects of the stroke she seemed unable to
co-operate regarding her therapies. On Thursday March 23 she developed
Bronco Pneumonia and died on the 26th. An inspiring and triumphant
service, with hymns and readings chosen by Ella, was conducted by Rev.
Barrie Morris. Ella's last poem, written to her friends in Christ, was
read at the service. |
To
My Friends
My friends I'm glad you came today
to see me off along the way
so
many friends have taken
and
I shall meet them all today
As
life's dark shadows fly away
and
with the dawn I waken.
but
friends I'd say a word to you
you've
been so faithful, good and true,
I
love you everyone,
I'll not forget when on that shore
Your lovely smiles and kindly things
that
from your loving friendship springs
a
part of such a company,
And
I thank each one of you
and
be it early, be it late,
I shall be waiting at the gate to
greet you- every one
Don't grieve for me, my cares are o'er,
to
live with Jesus evermore
till
the day breaks cheerio my friends,
I
love you all
We
shall gather at the river that
flows by the throne of God.
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