GlendaEVANSGlenda Evans, 84, of Trealaw died on July 31, in Telford, Shropshire. Glenda had lived in Trealaw since 1970, having been born and raised in Gilfach Goch by her mother, Elsie Rockliffe, and her grandmother, Margaret Tudor. Her father, Edward Rockliffe, resided in London.
Prior to her marriage to Phillip Derrick Evans (Deri) of Trealaw, Glenda worked as a legal assistant and later became a policewoman on the police force in Pontypridd, a job she held until her marriage.
After her husband's retirement from the Royal Mint and with their three sons all out of university and on their own, Glenda and Phil embarked upon travels throughout the world, visiting and travelling with sons and families in Australia, China, the United States and Europe. On their way to and from Australia for many years, they stopped off in Bangkok, getting to know the city and Glenda's favourite's, its shopping districts.
After Phil's death in 2003, Glenda continued to travel on her own, returning each year to Australia, by way of Thailand. In Bangkok during one stopover, armed forces filled the street. Glenda went shopping anyway. On her way back to the hotel, she was denied access to her hotel's district. Noticing her plight, a local on a motorcycle called out to her, "Come on, mama, I'll take you!" Through the streets of an insurrection, Glenda rode pillion and loved every minute of it. The Western Mail picked up the story and memorialized her feat.
Glenda is survived by her three sons, David (Grace), Roland (Bonnie) and Gordon (Jill); by seven grandchildren, Jessie, Emily, Sophie (David), Rhian, Robyn (Roland), Michael, Matthew (Gordon) and three great-grandchildren.
Glenda did her share of charity work, volunteering at Tenovos in Tonypandy for several years, in between her travels. Before Covid lockdowns, Glenda enjoyed meeting up on Thursday evenings with some of her lifelong friends at the Workingman's Club in Gilfach Goch.
Glenda, who will be sorely missed by her family, often spoke of her concern for children who are both deaf and blind. As such, in lieu of flowers, please feel free to donate to either Deafblind.org or Sense.org.uk in Glenda's name. Thank you.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, September 2nd, at The Chapel in Trealaw Cemetery, Brithweunydd Rd, Tonypandy CF40 2UQ, at 1:15 in the afternoon, followed by a graveside service. A wake will be held shortly thereafter at The Rheola in Porth, Aber-Rhondda Rd, Porth CF39 0LF, UK.
