It is with great sadness that we mark the passing of one of our longest serving members,
Mavis Pryce-Jones. We will all miss her immensely in Soroptimists for the great fun, friendship and experiences she shared with us all.
Mavis was a huge part of our club for so many years representing us as Regional President and travelling all over to represent club and region and she was so proud of her daughter Heidi when she was our Regional President recently replicating her mother’s success.
This is a beautiful photo of Mavis attending the Belfast Conference where she thoroughly enjoyed being amongst friends from all over the World.
We said goodbye to Mavis in a memorable service celebrating the life she had enjoyed to the full with her family and friends from all walks of life, including her much-loved Soroptimist family.
A Soroptimist tribute was prepared and delivered at the service by one of our members, and a great friend to Mavis, Past Federation President Carwen Wynne-Howells.
Mavis – the Soroptimist – Soroptimist Tribute by Carwen Wynne-Howells
I first met Mavis in 1962 shortly after my family relocated to Pembrokeshire. A year that also saw the chartering of Soroptimist International of Haverfordwest & District .It would be fair to say that neither of us were aspiring Soroptimists at that point in our lives, we were busy with other things . Mavis and Neville were to move to Haverfordwest and embark on a new business venture and I was adjusting to life as a ‘Tasker’s girl’.
It was not long before Mavis was spotted as a potential Soroptimist and was invited to join the Club in 1968. Whatever else you might say about Mavis she was never one to ‘stand on the sidelines’ and ,having committed to the Organisation, she soon immersed herself in Club activities . A young Heidi often got roped in being expected to don her Welsh National Costume for events such as International Nights. Later even Aaron did not escape – particularly once that ‘ voice’ developed.
Mavis became Club President in 1978, her year was indeed a mix of ‘Food, Friends & Fellowship’ plus an awful lot of Fun .The highlight of her year was a formal dinner at the Masonic Hall with Lady Isobel Barnett as the guest speaker – quite a coup as Lady Isobel was very much a ‘Celebrity’ of her day. The Ticket stated ‘Formal Dress Optional’ but the ‘Optional’ had been crossed out. Afterall Mavis had her standards to maintain. Oh, and in case you are wondering, the price of the ticket was £5.
Mavis’ involvement in Soroptimism did not stop at Club level, along with Nora Evans and Dr Ann Barton, she became involved in the Divisional Union of Wales South initially as its Membership Officer and then as its President .Ann still reminds me of their trips to meetings at the House of the Good Shepherd on Clyne Common which usually necessitated a trip to Swansea Market for either a traditional breakfast including laverbread or a dish of faggots and peas.
Whilst Mavis was busy at DU ,I was getting involved at Club level .I was Club President when Mavis became President of the Divisional Union .As a consequence we did a lot of things in tandem .I had the task of organising the party after Mavis’ installation at the Federation Conference in Blackpool in October 1989.I thought I was reasonably well prepared ,my only concern was numbers as we were pushing the Fire Regs to the limit. Mavis meanwhile, in her own inimitable way, was merrily still inviting people to join us…. ’Oh, you must come, it would be so lovely to see you’. Mavis had an absolute ball that evening whilst I was a nervous wreck. I am ashamed to admit it but we made a rather embarrassing profit on that party .
Mavis relinquished her Office at the Federation Conference in Jersey in 1990.That was the year of the iconic black dress ,rolled up in a sports bag and taken as hand luggage, none of us dare lose sight of that bag as we flew to the island. That dress has seen many a formal occasion and indeed more than one wearer – Heidi and I have both been known to borrow it. It was lovely to see Mavis wearing it again at the Club’s Christmas Party in 2021.That dress epitomised Mavis’ style to a tee as the recent image on facebook illustrates.
Mavis’ progression did not end with Wales South. She moved into Programme Action becoming the first Programme Action Officer for Wales, a role that involved her working at UK and Federation levels as part of the Programme Action Committees. She made quite an impression and even now if you mention the word ‘Mavis’ right across the Federation they know exactly who you mean. Mavis was always cool, calm and collected. She engaged with people and made them feel special and she could work a room like a ‘pro’. She always made things seem effortless, yet behind it, was a very well organised lady who planned in advance and left nothing to chance – including choosing just the right time to tell Neville that she was going off to Conference. Rarely in an Organisation is an individual held in such high regard and with such affection.
As Mavis stepped back and I moved up the ladder, we continued to do things in tandem and when SIGBI incorporated as a Company Limited by Guarantee during my time as Federation President who better to sign the Articles of Incorporation than Mavis Pryce Jones ,her name will be forever linked with the Organisation.
Mavis could not have been prouder than when Heidi followed in her footsteps as Regional President and was so thrilled to be able to accompany her to Belfast last October .I think, deep down, both Heidi and I knew that Belfast 2022 would be Mavis’ last Conference but she would not have missed it for the world.
I dare say some of you here today may still be wondering what a Soroptimist actually is. The word comes from the Latin ‘ Soros’ – sister and ‘Optima’ – best of. Literally it is the ‘best of sisters’.
Mavis was indeed the ‘best of sisters’. I have lost a good friend and shall miss her terribly. God bless you ,Mavis, for simply being you and enriching all our lives with your warmth, humour and irrepressible zest for life. SI Club of Haverfordwest in a Tribute.
Mavis (seated to the far left of the photo) enjoying our recent 60th Anniversary celebrations. Carwen is standing alongside her and her daughter, Heidi, immediately behind.