People

Mrs Antoinette Jane Brodie 1864 - 1948

The death has occurred of Mrs Antoinette Jane Brodie on Wednesday evening, 31 December 1948, she was aged 84 years. Mrs Brodie was the daughter of General E. Armstrong, who had a command in Madras Army at Fort St George, spent many years in India before moving to Brighton. She married Major Charles G Brodie M.C., F.R.C.S., one of the officers of Princess Beatrice's Isle of Wight Rifles.

Mrs Brodie lived at Wootton for over 50 years, firstly at Fernhill and since 1933 at Bridge House. She took an active part in local activities and will be remembered for her support of the Wootton Nursing Association. Her mother-in-law, the late Mrs Ada Blanch Brodie, for some time maintained a nurse to minister to the needs of the residents in conjunction with Mrs Scott, who also lived at Bridge House.

Mrs Brodie was Commissioner for Guides, President of Wootton Branch of Red Cross and presiding member of the Mothers Union.. In June 1922 she was elected a county magistrate and appointed to the juvenile panel. A committee member of the I.W. Musical Festival.

She leaves one son, Lieut-Col. D G Brodie R.A., four daughters (Mrs J A Dechering, Miss J., Miss C and Miss A Brodie.

The Funeral

The funeral at St Edmunds Church took place on Monday 3 January 1949. The Rev. A. H. Genower (rector) officiated, assisted by Rev. G. C. Seymour R.D. (formerly rector of Wootton). The cortege was met at the church by the cross-bearer and choir. Mr W G James (organist) accompanied the singing of the Scottish metrical version of Psalm 18 and the hymns "Thine for ever" and "For all the saints". The Rural Dean gave a short tribute.

The mourners were Lieut.-Col. & Mrs D G Brodie (son & daughter-in-law), Mr & Mrs J A Dechering (son-in-law & daughter), Misses Joan, Cecily and Aileen Brodie (daughters), Miss Anne Brodie and Miss Jean Dechering (grand-daughters), Miss Armstrong and Mrs Gape (sisters), Dr. W.S.O. Waring (brother-in-law), Miss Coates (niece, also representing Major F Carden Brodie) Group Capt. & Mrs I E Brodie (nephew & niece, also representing Mr W A Brodie, brother-in-law), Mr & Mrs R Armstrong, Miss Marstong, Mrs D Armstrong, Dr. & Mrs P Knill Jones (nephews & nieces), Mrs Davidson (cousin), Mrs Gosden, Mrs Warne, Mr H Wickens (former members of the staff at Fernhill).

Others representing the many organisations on the Island including the County magistrates and members of the Wootton community.

Burial was in her husband’s grave in the churchyard. There were nearly 50 floral tributes.

Magistrates' Tribute

At the commencement of the sitting of the County Magistrates at Newport on Saturday, Sir. Gedfrey Bearing, Bt., said that by the death of Mrs Brodie the bench has lost a very esteemed colleague. The date of her appointment was as long ago as June 1922, and she was therefore one of the first three lady magistrates appointed to the County bench. She brought to the discharge of her duties calm judgement, devotion, and above all, a kind, compassionate heart. It was characteristic of her sense of duty that in 1940, when her health required that she should no longer take an active part, she asked to be placed on the supplementary list. The deep and respectful symphathy of the Bench was extended to Mrs Brodie's family, and he assured them that they would ever cherish fragrant memories of her devoted and blameless life.

Source: Isle of Wight County Press, 3rd and 8th January 1949