Ann Leonora Dirom Vyvyan-Robinson, who died 22 January, 2023, aged 90, was the widow of Cecil Courtenay Vyvyan-Robinson (1928-2022), scion of the Vyvyan baronets.
She was a daughter of Victor Berwyn Jones (1898- ), of Stonehouse, Gloucestershirem and married in 1955. Her husband died 14 April, 2022, aged 93. She leaves a son and three daughters.
-=-
The Hon Diana Heimann, who died in Cape Town, 30 January, 2023, was a daughter of the Rt Hon Iain Macleod, MP, PC, briefly Chancellor of the Exchequer in the Heath administration in 1970.
Diana Hester Macleod was born in 1944, daughter of the Rt Hon Iain Norman Macleod (1913-70), who died in office at 11 Downing Street, by his wife the former Evelyn Hester Blois (1915-1999), scion of the Blois baronets, and a granddaughter maternally of the 3rd Baron Hampton. Following the death of her husband she was raised to the peerage for life as Baroness Macleod of Borve.
Diana Macleod married in 1968, David Heimann, by whom she had issue,
Anna Elizabeth Neave [nee Steadman, born 1988], wife of Sebastian Airey Stuart Neave [born 1989], scion of the Neave baronets, gave birth to a son, Arthur Digby Roland, 16 January, 2023, a brother for Christopher Robert Airey [Kit], who was born 10 June, 2020.
Sebastian is a son of the Hon William Robert Sheffield Neave [born 1953], of East Orchard, Dorset, by his wife the former Joanna Mary Stuart Paton [born 1957], and is a grandson of the assassinated Conservative MP, the Rt Hon Airey Neave, MP, PC [1916-1979], by his wife the former Diana Giffard [1919-92], who following her widowhood was created a peer for life as Baroness Airey of Abingdon.
Anna Neave is a daughter of Timothy R. Steadman, by his wife the former Alison C. Spankie.
-=-
Sophia L.H. More-Molyneux (nee Lintott), wife of Alexander G. More-Molyneux, scion of that landed family, gave birth to a daughter, Boudicca Ete Lilou, a sister for Cressida, Rocco, Aubrey and Zsa Zsa.
Alexander is the eldest son of Mr and Mrs Michael More-Molyneux, of Loseley Park, Guildford, and Sophia is the eldest daughter of Mr and Mrs Guy Lintott, of Shroton, Dorset.
-=-
The engagement was announced 4 February, 2023, between the Hon Alexander Thomas Hugh Clifford (born 24 Sept, 1985), elder son and heir of the 14th Baron Clifford of Chuldeigh (b 17 Mar, 1948) (Peerage of England, cr 1672), of Ugbrooke Park, Chudleigh, Devon, by his former wife (Muriel) Suzanne Austin, & Lucy Jane Lenygon (born 1986), daughter of Mr Nicholas J. Lenygon (born 1954) and Mrs Sarah J. Lenygon (nee Murray).
It will be Alexander Clifford's second marriage. His first to Dr Caitlin Blake-Lane, daughter of Mr & Mrs Roger Blake-Lane, of Toorak, Melbourne, Australia, which took place in 2017 ended in divorce two years later.
-=-
Edwina Rose Fetherston-Dilke [nee Bagge, born 7 March, 1985], wife of George Michael Fetherston-Dilke [born 1985], scion of that landed gentry family, gave birth to a daughter, Audrey Rose, 30 January, 2023, a sister for Margot Stella, who was born 11 March, 2021.
George is a son of Michael Fetherston-Dilke [born 28 December, 1948], and his wife the former Rosemary Anne Keith [born 18 April, 1951].
Edwina Fetherston-Dilke, a scion of the Bagge baronets, is a daughter of [Alfred] James Stephen Bagge [born 7 December, 1952], of Stradsett, Norfolk, and his wife the former Victoria Imogen Lyndon Skeggs.
Sir John Bagge, 6th Bt [1914-90] > Alfred Bagge [b 1952] > Edwina Bagge [b 1985] > Audrey Rose Fetherston-Dilke (born 2023)
-=-
Anne Georgiana, Lady Coote, who died 25 January, 2023, aged 94, was the widow of Sir Christopher Coote, 15th Baronet (1928-2016).
She was born Anne Georgiana Handford, 29 November, 1928, second daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel Donald James Handford (1889-1980), of Conham, co Wiltshire, and his wife the former Elinor Marianne D'Arcy (1890-1976), scion of the Barons D'Arcy de Knayth; and married 23 August, 1952, Christopher John Coote (born 22 Sept, 1928), son and heir of Sir John Ralph Coote, 14th Baronet (1905-1978), and his wife the former Noreen Una Tighe (who died 4 March, 1996).
Her husband succeeded to his father's baronetcy, 23 January, 1978, and died 29 November, 2016.
Lady Coote leaves a son, Sir Nicholas Coote, 16th Baronet (born 28 Jul 1953), and a daughterm Vanessa (born 10 Aug, 1955).
-=-
The Countess of Longford, who died 21 January, 2023, aged 83, did not use her aristocratic title and was known as Valerie Pakenham, the writer, who achieved considerable success with her books.
She was born Valerie Susan McNair Scott, 13 November, 1939, the third daughter of Major Ronald Guthrie McNair Scott (1904-1995), of Huish House, Old Basing, Hampshire, by his wife the former Hon Mary Cecilia Berry (1906-1996), and was the granddaughter of William Berry, 1st Viscount Camrose (1879-1954), proprietor and editor-in-chief of The Daily Telegraph from 1928 to 1954.
Prior to her marriage she worked in journalism in London with the publishers Condé Nast and the Daily Mail.
Valerie claimed “always to have hated proper writing”, but nevertheless achieved considerable success with her books, many exploring the history and culture of Ireland. This was her adopted homeland where, with her husband Thomas, she restored his family seat Tullynally Castle and its gardens, in Co Westmeath, opening them to the public.
She married 23 July, 1964, Thomas Frank Dermot Pakenham (born 14 August, 1933), who declined the use of a courtesy title, eldest son of the 7th Earl of Longford, KG, PC (1905-2001), and his wife the former Elizabeth Harman, CBE (the writer, biographer Elizabeth Longford, who died 23 October, 2002). Her husband succeeded his father, 3 Aug, 2001, as 8th Earl of Longford (Peerage of Ireland, cr 1785), Baron Silchester (UK, cr 1821), and 2nd Baron Pakenham (Peerage of the UK, cr 1945), but does not use the titles.
Following her marriage to Pakenham in 1964 her life switched from England to Ireland. On the death three years earlier of his uncle, Valerie Pakenham’s new husband had inherited what she once described as his family’s ancestral “huge, damp and semi-ruinous” Gothic castle. Thomas’s father had decided to forgo the inheritance and skip a generation to avoid double death duties.
At Tullynally Castle, Valerie continued to write: she was author of The Battle of New Orleans Major-General Sir Edward M Pakenham (1965); Out in Noonday Sun: Edwardians in the Tropics (1985); Maria Edgeworth’s Letters from Ireland (2017); and Exploring Ireland’s Middle Kingdom (2021).
With her husband Thomas, she co-wrote A Traveller’s Companion to Dublin (1988) and The Big House in Ireland (2001).
Valerie Pakenham is survived by her husband and two sons, Edward (born 6 Jan, 1970), and Frederick (born 27 Nov, 1971), and by two daughters, Anna Maria (born 26 July, 1965), and Eliza (born 3 Nov, 1966).
-=-
Sophie Elizabeth Dundas [née Garnier, born 1988], wife of Ralph William Dundas 3rd of Airdbheith [born 1988], head of that landed gentry family, and descended from the Barons Walsingham, gave birth to a son, Geordie Hector, 28 December, 2022, a brother for Frank William, who was born 21 June, 2019, and for Douglas James, who was born 23 Oct, 2020.
Ralph Dundas is a son of the late [Robert] Alexander Dundas of Airdbheith [1947-2003], by his wife the former Sarah Rosalind Wilson [born 1953], a granddaughter maternally of Sir James Lithgow, 1st Baronet [1883-1952].
Sophie Dundas is the second daughter of Maj [James] Hugh Garnier [b 7 Apr 1948], by his wife the former Katherine Puckle.
Douglas's Walsingham lineage:-
8th Baron Walsingham-->Hon Lavender de Grey-->Maj Hugh Garnier-->Sophie Garnier--> Geordie Dundas
-=-
Sir Patrick Laurence Delaval Cotter, 7th Baronet, died 11 January, 2023. He was 81.
He was born 21 November, 1941, only son of Laurence Stopford Llewellyn Cotter (1912-1943), and his wife the former Grace Mary Downing, and was a grandson of Sir James Cotter, 5th Bt (1887-1924).
He succeeded to the baronetcy (cr, of Rockforest, co Cork, 1763) on the death of his uncle, Lt-Col Sir Delaval Cotter, 6th Bt, 2 April, 2001.
He married in 1967, Jane Potter, daughter of George Potter, by whom he had a son, Julius Laurence George Cotter (born 4 January, 1968), and two daughters, Jemima Grace Mary Cotter (born 1970), and Jessica Lucy Kathleen Cotter (born 1972).
Lady Cotter survives him. The baronetcy now passes to his only son.
-=-
The Baroness Berners, who died 23 January, 2023, aged 93, was the sixteenth holder of the peerage (created by writ in the Peerage of England, 24 May, 1455).
The peerage was created for her ancestor Sir John Bourchier, KG, younger brother of Henry [Bourchier], 1st Earl of Essex, and 4th son of Sir William Bourchier, 1st Count of Eu, by his wife Lady Anne de Stafford, suo jure Countess of Buckingham, Hereford and Northampton, widow of Thomas and Edmund [de Stafford], 3rd and 5th Earls of Stafford, and 1st dau. of Thomas "of Woodstock", 1st Duke of Gloucester (by his wife Lady Alianore de Bohun, suo jure Countess of Essex, 1st dau. and cohrss. of Humphrey [de Bohun], 7th Earl of Hereford, 12th Earl of Essex and 2nd Earl of Northampton), 8th son of King Edward III.
She was born Pamela Vivien Williams, 30 September, 1929, the elder daughter of Harold Williams, JP, and his wife Vera Ruby Tyrwhitt, in her own right the (15th) Baroness Berners (1901-1992). On her mother's death, 20 February, 1992, the barony of Berners fell into abeyance between her two daughters, Pamela, and Rosemary (born 20 July, 1931). On 30 June, 1995, the abeyance of the barony was terminated in favour of Pamela.
She married 1 March, 1952, Capt Michael Joseph Sperry Kirkham (1925-2017), 2nd son of Joseph William Kirkham (1893-1949), of Parwick Lees, co Derby, by his wife the former Annie Elizabeth Sperry (1892-1978), by whom she had issue, two sons, the Hon Rupert William Tyrwhitt Kirkham (born 18 Feb, 1953), and the Hon Robin Raymond Tyrwhitt Kirkham (born 1 Dec, 1958), and a daughter, the Hon Caroline Rosemary Tyrwhitt Kirkham (born 6 May, 1956).
The elder son, the Hon Rupert Kirkham now succeeds as 17th Baron Berners. He married 12 Feb 1994, Lisa Carol Judy Lipsey, daughter of Col Edward Gibson Lipsey USAF, of Phoenix, Arizona, USA, by whom he has issue.
-=-
Serena Graham-Watson [nee France-Hayhurst], wife of Capt Florian Ncholas Graham-Watson, [born 6 December, 1986], late the Irish Guards, gave birth to a daughter, Primrose Amélie, 20 January, 2023, a sister for Arnaud James (born 25 July, 2018), and for Wilfred Robert (29 January, 2020).,
Florian Graham-Watson, sometime equerry to HRH The Prince of Wales, scion of the Graham-Watson landed gentry family, is son of Mr Andrew FitzJames Graham-Watson (born 1957), of Longworth, Oxfordshire, by his wife the former Brigitte Claude Marie Jeanson, of Paris.
Serena Graham-Watson is a daughter of Mr & Mrs James France-Hayhurst, of Bunbury Heath, Cheshire.
-=-
Richard Hugh Godfrey-Faussett, who died 11 January, 2023, aged 90, was a scion of that landed gentry family, of Heppington, born 28 June, 1932, son of Brigadier Bryan Trevor Godfrey-Faussett, CB, DSO, OBE, MC (1896-1970), and his wife the former Katherine Monica Paterson (1899-1987); and married in 1962, Anne Granville Murray, daughter of Colonel Granville Murray, of Weir, Dumfriesshire, by whom he had issue, two sons, Christopher Bryan (b 26 Aug, 1963), and Matthew, and a daughter, Islay.
Richard was a great-nephew of Sir Bryan Godfrey-Faussett, GCVO (1863-1945), naval officer and courtier, great friend and equetty of King George. Richard's elder son, Christopher married in 1995, Lady Diana Bowes-Lyon (b 1966), daughter of the 17th Earl of Strathmore & Kinghorne (1928-1987), and a cousin of the King.
-=-
Jonathan Mark Priaulx Raban, who died 17 January, 2023, aged 80, was a self-scrutinising travel writer and novelist of originality and humour. He was born 14 June, 1942, son of the Rev (James) Peter Caplin Priaulx Raban (1918-1996), and his wife the former Monica Vivienne Sanderson; and married 1stly, 1964 (div.) Bridget Johnson, and married 2ndly, 1985 (div. 1990) Caroline Alice Celia Cuthbert (born 31 March, 1940), scion of that landed gentry family, of Beaufront Castle; and married 3rdly, 1992, Jean Lenihan, by whom he had a daughhter, Julia.
-=-
The engagement was announced 28 January, 2023, between Archie Alexander Clark (born 1991), son of Duncan Allen Clark (born 1960), of Great Braxted, Essex, and his wife the former Nicola Jane Kirkwood Brown (born 15 August, 1960), & Katherine Sarah Stratton (born 6 Apr, 1991), daughter of Christopher Richard de F. Stratton (born 1953), of Wimbledon, London, and his wife the former (Patricia) Clare Grigson.
Archie Clark descends from the Sinclair Earls of Caithness, viz:-
The 19th Earl of Caithness > Lady Margaret Sinclair > Nicola Brown > Archie Clark
-=-
The engagement was announced 28 January, 2023, between Luis R. Rodriguez Tijerina, elder son of Mr and Mrs Luis Rodriguez, of San Pedro, Monterrey, & Holly Caroline M. Catto, scion of the Barons Catto, only daughter of Robert Jeremy Adam Inch Catto (1939-2018), and his wife the former Judith Monday, of Blackboys, East Sussex.
-=-
The engagement was annopunced 28 January, 2023, between Frederick William Edwin McAlpine (born 25 August, 1993), eldest son and heir of Sir Andrew William McAlpine, 7th Baronet (born 22 November, 1960), of Hexham, Northumberland and Lady McAlpine (nee Caroline Claire Hodgson), and Alice Sophie Riddell (born 1992), youngest daughter of Mr Sean Douglas Riddell (born January, 1965), of Ripon, North Yorkshire, and Mrs Riddell.
-=-
Catherine Walwyn, who died at her Lambourn home, 21 January, 2023, aged 94, was the widow of the legendary racehorse trainer Fulke Waywyn, CVO.
Following her husband's death she took over the licence at Saxon House in Lambourn and trained for three seasons, winning 27 races including the 1993 Sefton Novices' Hurdle with Cardinal Red. She also trained The Argonaut and Furry Knowe for the late Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother.
She was born Catherine de Trafford, 5 November, 1928, fourth daughter of Sir Humphrey Edmund de Trafford, 4th Baronet (1891-1971), and his wife the former Hon Cynthia Hilda Evelyn Cadogan (1896-1966), scion of the Earls Cadogan. Her elder sister Ann (1918-87), was Dame Ann Parker Bowles, DCVO, mother of Brig Andrew Parker Bowles (born 27 Dec, 1939), first husband of HM Queen Camilla.
Her father was a senior Jockey Club steward and Classic-winning owner. She married 24 June, 1952, as his second wife, Fulke Thomas Tyndall Walwyn, CVO (born 8 Nov, 1910), son of Lieutenant-Col Fulke James Walwyn (1875-1945), and his wife the former Louisa Greenshields (who died in 1926).
Her husband moved to the Saxon House stables, Lambourn, in 1944, and became one of the most successful National Hunt trainers of all time. Fulke Walwyn trained for many notable owners including Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother. He died 18 February, 1991.
Cath Walwyn also enjoyed great success as an owner, including having a half share with Priscilla Hastings in the 1958 Hennessy Gold Cup and Whitbread Gold Cup winner Taxidermist and owning the 1959 Windsor Castle Stakes winner Monamolin, both trained by her husband. She also won the 2010 Buckingham Palace Stakes with the Jamie Osborne-trained Treadwell, who she co-owned with Tony Taylor.
Cath Walwyn had one child, Jane, who was born in 1957 and died from cancer in 2007, and is survived by Jane's daughter Isabel Sanderson.
-=-
Lady Rupert Nevill, who died 25 January, 2023, aged 97, was a close friend of Queen Elizabeth II and for many years a member of Her Majesty's inner circle.
She was the widow of Lord Rupert Nevill, CVO (1923-82), who served as private secretary to Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Both Micky and Rupert Nevill were childhood friends of Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Margaret, and Lord Rupert stood as godfather to Margaret's son, David, Viscount Linley, now Earl of Snowdon.
She was born Anne Camilla Evelyn Wallop (but always known as 'Micky'), 12 July, 1925, daughter of the 9th Earl of Portsmouth (1898-1984), and his 1st wife the former Mary Lawrence Post (died 6 Aug, 1964), daughter of Waldron Kintzing Post, of Bayport, Suffolk County, New York, United States. Micky's cousin, Jean Wallop (1934-2019), was the wife of the Queen's beloved 'Porchy', 7th Earl of Carnarvon (1924-2001).
Micky Wallop served as an officer in the Women's Royal Naval Reserve during the Second World War, and married 22 April, 1944, the Lord Rupert Charles Montacute Nevill (born 29 January, 1923), a captain in the Life Guards, second son of the 4th Marquess of Abergavenny (1883-1954), and his wife the former Isabel Nellie Larnach (who died 5 Nov, 1953).
The Nevills lived at Horsted Place, Uckfield, Sussex, a bolt hole for Princess Margaret and Group Capt Peter Townsend during their tempestuous romance in the 1950s.
Her husband served as Treasuer to Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh 1970-82, and private secretary to HRH 1976-82, and was appointed CVO in 1978. He died from cancer, 19 July, 1982, aged 59, and the Duke of Edinburgh and Prince of Wales attended his funeral.
Lady Rupert is survived by a son, Christopher (born 23 Apr, 1955), who in 2000 succeeded his uncle as 6th Marquess of Abergavenny, and by two daughters, Lady Angela Nevill (born 2 Jan, 1948), once tipped as a possbible bride for the future King Charles III, and Lady Henrietta Nevill (born 21 June, 1964), a goddaughter of Prince Philip. Micky Nevill was predeceased by her elder son, Guy (1945-1993), a godson of Queen Elizabeth II and a Page of Honour to HM 1958-61.
Lady Rupert's private funeral takes place 8 February, 2023. It is expected that the King and other members of the Royal Family will be represented.
-=-
Margot Lucy, Lady Burrell (nee Thatcher), who died 19 January, 2023, aged 82, was the second wife and widow of Sir (John) Raymond Burrell, 9th Baronet.
She was born Margot Lucy Thatcher, 8 Aug, 1940, daughter of Frederick Ernest Thatcher (died 1976), of New South Wales, by his wife the former Lucy Violet Wiley (1910-1997); and married 1 July, 1971, (John) Raymond Burrell (born 20 February, 1934), son of Lt-Col Sir Walter Raymond Burrell, 8th Baronet (1903-1985), and his wife the former Hon Anne Judith Denman (1907-87), daughter of the 3rd Baron Denman (1874-1954). Her husband succeeded his father, 4 May, 1985, as 9th Bt, and died at Sydney, NSW, 29 May, 2008.
Lady Burrell leaves a son, Andrew John (born 15 July, 1974), and a daughter, Catherine Anne Lucy (born 29 May, 1977), and a step-son, Sir Charles Burrell, 10th Bt.
-=-
Mary Theresa, Viscountess Selby, who died 20 January, 2023, aged 85, was the widow of the 4th Viscount, mother of the 5th Viscount and grandmother of the 6th Viscount.
She was the former Mary Theresa Powell, scion of that landed gentry family, daughter of Capt Thomas Folliott Powell (1887-1975), of Pelham Cresent, South Kensington, and his wife the former Dorothy Mary Fairfax Studd (died 1975), scion of the Studd baronets; & married 29 May, 1965, Michael Guy John Gully, 4th Viscount Selby (Peerage of the UK, cr 1905) (born 15 Aug, 1942), by whom she had issue, a son, the Hon Edward Thomas William Gully (born 21 Sept, 1967), and a daughter the Hon Catherine Mary Albinia Gully (born 17 Mar 1971).
Her husband, who succeeded to the viscountcy, 18 Sept, 1959, died 10 January, 1997, aged 54, and was succeeded by their son, Edward, 5th Viscount, who died 23 January, 2001, aged 33, and was succeeded by his son, Christopher, 6th Viscount (born 18 Oct, 1993).
-=-
The engagement was announced 21 January, 2023, between Jack William Mann (born 1982), scion of the Mann baronets, second son of Simon Francis Mann (born 26 June, 1952), of Hampshire, and his former 1st wife Jennifer Catherine Barham (born 1957), scion of that landed gentry family (now wife of Richard Douglas Schuster (born 4 June, 1953), & Isabella Josephine M. Clark (born circa 1993), daughter of Stephen M Clark, of Suffolk, and his wife the former Felicity A. Whalley.
Jack Mann was at the Royal Military College Sandhurst with the Duke of Sussex, and acted as an usher at Prince Harry's wedding to Meghan Markle in 2018.
Sir Edward Mann, 1st Bt > Francis Thomas Mann > Francis George Mann > Simon Francis Mann > Jack William Mann
-=-
Horatia Mary Felicia Palmer (nee Lamb), who died 9 January, 2023, aged 89, was a granddaughter of the 5th Earl of Longford.
She was born 21 October, 1933 (Trafalgar Day, hence her first christian name, but always known as Felicia), second daughter of Australian-born artist Henry Taylor Lamb, MC, RA (1883-1960), and his 2nd wife the Lady (Margaret) Pansy Felicia Pakenham (1904-1999), the writer, translator, &c, who was the eldest daughter of Brig-Gen the 5th Earl of Longford, KP, MVO (1864-1915), and his wife the Lady Mary Julia Child-Villiers (1877-1933), daughter of the 7th Earl of Jersey (1845-1915), &c.
Felicia Lamb married 26 July, 1958, William Henry Tugwell Palmer (born 1929), of Nun Monkton, North Yorkshire, son of Colonel Henry Wellington Tuthill Palmer, DSO, OBE, by whom she had issue, a son Rufus (1967-86), and two daughters, (1) Primrose (born 18 Feb, 1960), wife of the Col the Hon Alastair James Calthrop Campbell, and (2) Harriet (b 6 July, 1961).
A Service of Thanksgiving takes place at Christ Church, Harrogate, 2 February, 2023.
-=-
