The daughter of Brecon’s former mayor and ‘real character’ Rosemary Evans has said she will never be forgotten ahead of her funeral tomorrow.
Rose Evans, who was known around Brecon for her kindness and willingness to help the community, sadly passed away on Wednesday, August 11 at Prince Charles Hospital in Merthyr Tydfil following a stroke.
Daughter Mary said: “As a family - she taught me to be a good person, how to work hard, how to get on with others and to help, and put something back into our community.”
The former town councillor left behind her only daughter Mary, as well as her son-in-law Keith, her three grandchildren Lauren, Jasmine and Gemma-Louise, as well as her two great-grandchildren Esme-Rose and Nova-May.
Mary said she had never known anybody who was able to enjoy life as much as her mother.
“I’ve never known anyone able to enjoy life as much as her. Her time as councillor and mayor were recognised because of her exquisite talent.”
She said: “It made her so happy. She approached her role with rigour and honesty and intelligence that made others rise to meet her, but she never imposed herself because she loved collaboration - whether as a mayor or a maid working the cooking and the gardening.”
She had been married to her late husband and telephone engineer Charles Brian Evans, who she met whilst working as a telephonist, for more than 30 years since 1964 before he died in 1995.
In 1975, while living in Llanfaes, they had Mary - only one year after she was first elected to Brecon Town Council in 1974. She was re-elected to the town council in 2004.
Rose, who deeply cared for the town and its residents, served as mayor three times - in 1980, in 2007 and again in 2016.
She made local history in 1980 when she took up office as the first woman to hold the title of Brecon Mayor since Gwenllian Morgan - the first female mayor in the whole of Wales as well as Brecon.
Mary, who lives with her family in the town, said: “She loved Brecon town. She lived and breathed for helping Brecon really.
“She loved watching the town flourish and doing things like the planters and the flowers.
“If there was anything that wasn’t right on the street, she would always take action and go to Powys County Council.”
Born in Cobbstown Cottage in Llanfinhagel Tallyllyn near Brecon, Rose spent a lot of time in Llanfaes - she lived around the town throughout her life.
The 82-year-old was involved with the Rotary Club as well as The Brecon Lions, and she was a regular visitor at The Brecon & Radnor Express before Covid-19.
In a long career in public service, she served on a number of local community groups as well as working with Llanfaes Primary School and Ysgol y Bannau - both of which she was a school governor for - as well as Brecon High School and Christ College.
Mary said: “She was a people’s person who lived by the principle of kindness and generosity. That she put these things out into the world to make it better, to make people feel better - she always asked people how they were, always took an interest and made each person feel special.
“She used her position on the council to make positive changes for the people of Brecon.”
The passionate former town councillor attended school at Talybont-on-Usk Primary School before going to Brecon Girls’ Grammar School and Hereford Blue School for Girls.
After leaving school, Rose was employed as an upstairs and downstairs maid for Mrs Brander Mater of the Fox and Hounds at Aberyscir Court in Brecon before, after a few years, working as a clerk at Brecon Motors.
Rose then spent 50 years working with the government as a telephonist and administrative officer.
Mary said: “She spent 50 years with the Government as a telephonist. She was with at the Army Training Area in Sennybridge before ending her career with the 22 Special Air service at Hereford where she was awarded the Imperial Service Medal in 2005.
“Telephonists answer the phones and send people to where they need to go - it’s like a coordinator over the phone”.
Since Rose sadly passed away, Mary said the family has received lots of cards and flowers from the community.
Mary explained that the funeral, which will be taking place tomorrow afternoon - Wednesday, September 1 - at the Hereford Crematorium, is private due to Covid-19 restrictions.
However, those wishing to pay their last respects to Rosemary will be able to do so in Brecon as the funeral procession will be stopping for a moment outside the Guild Hall - the home to Brecon Town Council.
Tributes have been paid to Rose ahead of her funeral next week.
Powys County Councillor Matthew Dorrance, who is also a member of of Brecon Town Council, described Rose as a “fiercely powerful advocate” for Brecon residents.
Cllr Dorrance, who worked with Rose, said: “Rosemary Evans was a trail blazer and a fiercely powerful advocate for the people of Brecon.
“Her life was one of service to her community - both in and outside of elected office. She worked hard for the town she loved because she believed in the power of community to do good for others.
“Rosemary was never far from the action and she was always prepared to roll up her sleeves to help out. Her kindness and her mischievous sense of humour made her a joy to know and she will be sorely missed.
“My thoughts and sympathy go to Rose’s daughter Mary and her family at this deeply sad time.”
Brecon Town Council took to Facebook to pay tribute on Tuesday, August 17, saying: “It is with sadness that Brecon Town Council learns of the passing of Mrs Rosemary Evans, a past mayor of the town.
“At a special meeting of the Brecon Town Council last night [Monday, August 16], we held a minutes silence in her memory. Our thoughts go out to her family at this difficult time.”
The Facebook post from the town council attracted 25 comments from people paying their respects and sharing their memories of Rose.
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Jim Price of the Brecon Advice Centre said Rose’s dedication to fundraising for the charity was “incredible” and that it was with “great sadness” he had learned of her death after a short illness.
In a letter to The Brecon & Radnor Express, he said: “As well as her work with local schools and colleges, her long career in public service included a massive contribution to the work of Brecon Advice Centre, now situated at 11, The Bulwark.
“She was a fellow trustee and member of the BAC Management Committee for many years.
“Her dedication to fundraising for this charity was incredible and as a result of her efforts, the centre continues to operate in its new location, providing much needed free help to residents of Brecon and the surrounding communities.
“Rosemary will be greatly missed by everyone she knew and, equally importantly, everyone she helped.”
While there will only be family flowers at her funeral, those who wish to donate in memory of Rosemary Evans are asked to donate to the Air Ambulance Wales Charity.
The funeral procession will stop outside the Guildhall at approximately 12.50pm tomorrow for residents wishing to pay their respects - those who attend are asked to comply with social distancing guidelines.