ElanJONESBorn at Tir Halen, Chubut, Patagonia, Argentina. She was a part of the Welsh community there and a direct descendant of Edwin Roberts, one of the original pioneers of the movement for a Welsh colony. Brought up on a farm speaking Welsh and Spanish, Elan decided to become a Nurse and went to Buenos Aires where she trained at the British Hospital. While there, she discovered that the British Council would (because of her Welsh background) pay for her to come to Wales to pursue her Nursing career. Thus, she came to Bangor Hospital, where she was befriended by a fellow Nurse who took her to her family home in Caer Hun just outside Bangor on their days off. There she met Emrys, home on leave from the Merchant Navy. They were married and in the late 50's moved to Liverpool where there was work. They lived in Tuebrook and by now had 1 child. In the early 1960's Elan and Emrys became Caretakers of a Welsh Chapel, Capel Park Road, Liverpool 8. Within a couple of years they had moved to take a similar job as Caretakers at Bethel, Capel Bethel, Heathfield Road, Liverpool 18. Here they raised their 4 children. Between looking after the family and the Chapel, Elan also worked, having a stint at Crawford Biscuit factory and a long employment at Johnson's Dry Cleaners, working as a seamstress. In the late 1970's they moved to Mossley Hill, Liverpool 18. Here Elan became a Lollipop Lady who worked at road crossings in Rose Lane for many years. Once retired, Elan spent a lot of time volunteering at Ysgol Glan Cleddau Primary School in Haverfordwest where "Nain", as everyone knew her, helped children learn to read. Elan had a long involvement with the Argentine connection, serving for many years on the Argentina-Wales (Cymru'r Arrianin) committee and being it's President for part of that time. A high point in connection with this was the occasion of the 150th Anniversary of the sailing (from Liverpool) of the Mimosa (the first ship to take Welsh colonists to Argentina). On the chosen day the Lord Mayor of Liverpool, the Argentine Ambassador and many other dignitaries were assembled for the televised unveiling of the memorial tablet which had been created and installed at the dockside. On that day Elan outranked them all, as she had the honour of unveiling the memorial. Elan was for more than 60 years an active member of Bethel Welsh Chapel, Heathfield Road. She was a regular attender at services and an active participant in the many other cultural and practical activities conducted there. Elan was a lifelong sewer, knitter and crafter until her eyesight deteriorated to the point of her being unable to see what she was doing. Her children and grandchildren have many examples of her skilled embroidery works on their walls. She was a beloved mother and mother-in-law to children in Liverpool, London, Norwich and Pembrokeshire, Grandmother to grandchildren in Haverfordwest and Norwich and Great Grandmother to great grandchildren in Cardiff. She had many friends in Liverpool and across the world. Her closest and longest term friends were Ruth Readey and Anne Willcox. She will be sadly missed Elan passed away peacefully aged 94 years. Her Funeral Service will take place at Bethel Chapel on Friday 17th February at 12 noon followed by interment at Allerton Cemetery. Family Flowers only, however donations in memory of Elan are welcomed for Alder Hey Children's Charity Enquiries to Pearson Collinson Funeral Services, 87-91 Allerton Road, Liverpool, L18 2DD. Tel: 0151 722 1515
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