Rita Longwill d.o.b.

22nd January 1928 to 12th December 2014: An

Appreciation
Rita Longwill (nee Bloomfield) was born on 22 nd January 1928. She was the fourth
eldest of seven sisters and had seven brothers. Her father was Malcolm
Bloomfield, who had a thriving agricultural engineering business for many years
and her mother was Valentine Bloomfield.
Rita attended the local school in Debenham and recalls being taught by a Mr
Onions who inculcated the 3 Rs. She recalls the cold winters and there is a
photo of her in a gabardine mac in the snow. She was an intelligent young person
but was not encouraged to develop in this area as Grandfather in particular
valued doing practical things over book learning. She had expressed interest in
engineering but he felt she should be confined to office work.
Life at home was lively with visitors in and out of the family home - always met
with food and a welcome.
The onset of World War Two when Rita was 11 years old introduced gas masks
and fear of invasion of East Anglia. As she came into her teenage years, the
American GIs were stationed in Suffolk and Rita recalled some fun times
dancing and playing the guitar in local fields. Indeed, she was taught to play the
guitar by one of the airmen and she continued to enjoy playing songs and was a
stalwart of Linton Folk Club for a number of years in the 1970's.She continued to
correspond for many years to some of her friends including Bill Neel who was a
university academic in later years.
Rita left school at 14 years old and worked for a time in the family agricultural
engineering business and learnt skills in book-keeping and money management
which served her well throughout her life.
She was a very attractive young person and enjoyed some good times as a
young adult and admitted there were a number of local farmers and others she
could have married. She enjoyed dancing and socialising with family and friends.
She spent some time in London, including a romance with a pilot from the Indian
Air Force.
She was introduced to a number of lively young people including Paddy Thomas
and Mike Carter. Paddy was to become a lifelong close friend although she
emigrated in the 1950s with Mike to Australia. She then left home to work with
the Savage family in Weston Colville as a ladies companion.
During this time she was introduced to Alexander Allen Longwill a dashing
young man in his day. Allen had a motorbike and they enjoyed some touring in
the UK. Rita played the piano very well and requested a piano instead of an
engagement ring. She loved her piano and music was a lifelong pleasure to her
and others and we have a treasured video of her last year playing Danny Boy
with great feeling. She also enjoyed playing classics of Chopin, Beethoven, Liszt
and Strauss as well as more popular tunes.
Rita and Allen married in March 1954 in Weston Colville and daughter Alison was
born in May 1955. By this time they had moved to Highfields in Westley
Waterless where they lived for over 40 years.

Andrew was born in 1957 and Richard in 1962. Allen worked in the building trade
and continued as a foreman with jobs of increasing complexity. Rita was an
excellent cook and gardener interests she continued for many years. She was
often found tending her flowers and mowing the lawn in their large garden. In the
Autumn she would go blackberrying and preserving fruit.
Faith was always important to Rita and she became a stalwart of Westley
Waterless Church as treasurer. She made many close friends in Westley, some of
whom are here today. She was never sanctimonious. More latterly, she enjoyed
the fellowship and Bible study at the United Reform Church and made many new
friends there.
Rita was a lifelong Tory and Alison remembers her hospitality to some student
friends. The digestive biscuits and coffee were devoured and mother chatted to
the young people from Cambridge with great enthusiasm. Later Alison told her
that they were all members of the Socialist Workers Party. Rita was somewhat
horrified.
Rita was always intellectually curious. She read voraciously and was particularly
interested in biographies of the famous and talented such as the Bloomsbury
Set, politicians and scientists. She read her daily newspaper (broadsheet) cover
to cover and was up-to-date on current affairs. She had a keen and sometimes
wicked sense of humour. She enjoyed Matts cartoons in the Daily Telegraph. She
was a prolific and interesting correspondent who never forgot a birthday. She
would send newspaper clippings to friends and family, following their interests
and activities.
Rita also enjoyed beauty in art and nature and loved her garden in Westley
Waterless and more latterly in Debenham.
Her son Andrew married Rosalind Gravenor in 1978 and her eldest grandchild
Lizzie was born in June 1979, followed by George in 1983 and Sophie in July
1989.
Alison married Ewan Davis in 1985 and Silas was born in July 1985, followed by
Iona in December 1989.
Richard married Yvonne Vance in 1994 and his son Vance was born in 1996,
followed by Mhairi in 1999.
Rita was very family orientated and proud of her children and grandchildren and
their various achievements and was very generous to all her family members.
She would not tell you to your face in case you became too boastful or
bigheaded (cardinal sins). She could burst your bubble quite easily. She set the
bar high for us all and valued independence and achievement. She set the bar
high in terms of praise. Rita also kept in contact with many extended family
members who were often in her thoughts.
Rita was a great friend to many and her thoughtful words and many kindnesses
are remembered with great fondness and respect. She loved her neighbours and
enjoyed their company. Many have played a significant and valued part in
maintaining her independence and quality of life with their support and
friendship.
After her family left home, Rita and Allen enjoyed a number of holidays in
Yorkshire and particularly liked The Dales area. Allen retired aged 65 years and

sadly died suddenly a couple of months later aged 65 and they were unable to
enjoy his retirement years ahead.
Rita continued to live in the family home alone for around 6 years, supported by
a number of local friends and family.
However, in 1998, she moved back to Debenham (the village of her birth). She
loved her new home and garden - warm, cosy and so easy to look after
compared to Highfields. She re-connected with her family and village life and had
some of her happiest years in Debenham. She enjoyed the fellowship of the
United Reformed Church and the many friends she made there.
Rita had a number of memorable holidays. She particularly enjoyed Alison and
Ewans 50th birthday party in 2005 when she toured the canals and sampled
some space tea for the first time.
She had a number of road trips to Scotland with her close friend June Longmuir
and they both shared fondness for Famous Grouse.
Rita was famously hospitable throughout her life. Childhood memories include
friends and relatives being entertained at a table groaning with home- cooked
food and vegetables from the garden. It would be hard to escape being offered
refreshments when visiting Rita and she enjoyed others company tremendously.
Rita continued to write poems and collect sayings in her notebooks all her life.
She would write poems on every day events in the lives of friends and family.
Many people have been amused, challenged and comforted by her musings.
Some examples of her output can be found with photographs on the website we
have set up in her memory www.longwill.net . We hope others will add their
reflections and photos too.
Rita continued to surprise. Having eschewed modern appliances she gained a
washing machine on her move to Debenham. At the age of 80 years, she
discovered the joy of wearing trousers and was subsequently rarely seen without
them. She wrote a poem about this which is on her website.
Rita had decided opinions on many issues (not always welcomed), but always
retained empathy with outsiders from the mainstream such as the homeless and
those troubled by alcoholism or mental illness. She could be fiery and
opinionated but enjoyed debate and would rebel against received wisdom at
times. She was independent and clear-minded but usually diplomatic. She did not
engage in any family or neighbourly feuds and was forgiving of others.
Rita experienced significant times of great sadness and adversity. The death of
her beloved sister Brenda in her 20s was devastating. The premature and
sudden death of Allen meant that her later years were not shared with her
husband of nearly 40 years. Rita experienced cancer 14 years ago which was
successfully treated with major surgery. The most overwhelming loss was the
untimely death of her son Andrew, aged 52, in November 2009. She faced life
with stoicism and courage but the scars remained in deep but private grief.
Rita remained alert and engaged with life until her last days on earth. In the last
few weeks she had hugely enjoyed entertaining grand-daughter Lizzie and her
husband Heath, Grandsons Silas and George who ate her out of house and
home and her nephew Lloyd and his family. Rita had a lively mind and sense of

humour. She had several jokes and observations which made us roar with
laughter even in her last days.
In the sad task of starting to clear Ritas possessions, we are struck by how few
items of monetary value she has owned. She was always smart but never
interested in expensive jewellery, antiques, expensive furniture and fittings or
other flim flam. However, tucked away in boxes and albums are treasured
cards, childrens drawings and other memorabilia which formed the real texture
of her life and the importance she attached to a wide range of enduring family
relationships and friendships.
Rita you were an inspiration and a one-off. We will miss you terribly, but your
spirit lives on and guides those who have truly known and loved you.
Alison Longwill - Dec 2014