Rita Longwill 22nd January 12th December 2014

An Appreciation
Rita Longwill (nee Bloomfield) was born on 22nd January 1928. She was the fourth eldest of seven
sisters and had seven brothers. Her father was Malcolm Bloomfield, who had a thriving agricultural
engineering business for many years and her mother was Valentine Bloomfield.
Rita attended the local school in Debenham and recalls being taught by a Mr Onions who inculcated
the 3 Rs. She recalls the cold winters and there is a photo of her in a gabardine mac in the snow.
She was an intelligent young person but was not encouraged to develop in this area as Grandfather
in particular valued doing practical things over book learning. She had expressed interest in
engineering but he felt she should be confined to office work.
Life at home was lively with visitors in and out of the family home - always met with food and a
welcome.
The onset of World War Two when Rita was 11 years old introduced gas masks and fear of invasion
of East Anglia. As she came into her teenage years, the American GIs were stationed in Suffolk and
Rita recalled some fun times dancing and playing the guitar in local fields. Indeed, she was taught
to play the guitar by one of the airmen and she continued to enjoy playing songs and was a stalwart
of Linton Folk Club for a number of years in the 1970's.She continued to correspond for many years
to some of her friends including Bill Neel who was a university academic in later years.
Rita left school at 14 years old and worked for a time in the family agricultural engineering business
and learnt skills in book-keeping and money management which served her well throughout her life.
She was a very attractive young person and enjoyed some good times as a young adult and admitted
there were a number of local farmers and others she could have married. She enjoyed dancing and
socialising with family and friends. She spent some time in London, including a romance with a pilot
from the Indian Air Force.
She was introduced to a number of lively young people including Paddy Thomas and Mike Carter.
Paddy was to become a lifelong close friend although she emigrated in the 1950s with Mike to
Australia. She then left home to work with the Savage family in Weston Colville as a ladies
companion.
During this time she was introduced to Alexander Allen Longwill a dashing young man in his day.
Allen had a motorbike and they enjoyed some touring in the UK. Rita played the piano very well and
requested a piano instead of an engagement ring. She loved her piano and music was a lifelong
pleasure to her and others and we have a treasured video of her last year playing Danny Boy with
great feeling. She also enjoyed playing classics of Chopin, Beethoven, Liszt and Strauss as well as
more popular tunes.
Rita and Allen married in March 1954 in Weston Colville and daughter Alison was born in May 1955.
By this time they had moved to Highfields in Westley Waterless where they lived for over 40 years.
Andrew was born in 1957 and Richard in 1962. Allen worked in the building trade and continued as a
foreman with jobs of increasing complexity. Rita was an excellent cook and gardener interests she
continued for many years. She was often found tending her flowers and mowing the lawn in their
large garden. In the autumn she would go blackberrying and preserving fruit.
Page 1 of 3

20 December 2014

Faith was always important to Rita and she became a stalwart of Westley Waterless Church as
treasurer. She made many close friends in Westley, some of whom are here today. She was never
sanctimonious. More latterly, she enjoyed the fellowship and Bible study at the United Reform
Church and made many new friends there.
Rita was a lifelong Tory and Alison remembers her hospitality to some student friends. The digestive
biscuits and coffee were devoured and mother chatted to the young people from Cambridge with
great enthusiasm. Later Alison told her that they were all members of the Socialist Workers Party.
Rita was somewhat horrified.
Rita was always intellectually curious. She read voraciously and was particularly interested in
biographies of the famous and talented such as the Bloomsbury Set, politicians and scientists. She
read her daily newspaper (broadsheet) cover to cover and was up-to-date on current affairs. She had
a keen and sometimes wicked sense of humour. She enjoyed Matts cartoons in the Daily Telegraph.
She was a prolific and interesting correspondent who never forgot a birthday. She would send
newspaper clippings to friends and family, following their interests and activities.
Rita also enjoyed beauty in art and nature and loved her garden in Westley Waterless and more
latterly in Debenham.
Her son Andrew married Rosalind Gravenor in 1978 and her eldest grandchild Lizzie was born in June
1979, followed by George in 1983 and Sophie in July 1989.
Alison married Ewan Davis in 1985 and Silas was born in July 1985, followed by Iona in December
1989.
Richard married Yvonne Vance in 1994 and his son Vance was born in 1996, followed by Mhairi in
1999.
Rita was very family orientated and proud of her children and grandchildren and their various
achievements and was very generous to all her family members. She would not tell you to your face
in case you became too boastful or bigheaded (cardinal sins). She could burst your bubble quite
easily. She set the bar high for us all and valued independence and achievement. She set the bar
high in terms of praise. Rita also kept in contact with many extended family members who were
often in her thoughts.
Rita was a great friend to many and her thoughtful words and many kindnesses are remembered
with great fondness and respect. She loved her neighbours and enjoyed their company. Many have
played a significant and valued part in maintaining her independence and quality of life with their
support and friendship.
After her family left home, Rita and Allen enjoyed a number of holidays in Yorkshire and particularly
liked The Dales area. Allen retired aged 65 years and sadly died suddenly a couple of months later
aged 65 and they were unable to enjoy his retirement years ahead.
Rita continued to live in the family home alone for around 6 years, supported by a number of local
friends and family.
However, in 1998, she moved back to Debenham (the village of her birth). She loved her new home
and garden - warm, cosy and so easy to look after compared to Highfields. She re-connected with
her family and village life and had some of her happiest years in Debenham. She enjoyed the
fellowship of the United Reformed Church and the many friends she made there.
Page 2 of 3

20 December 2014

Rita had a number of memorable holidays. She particularly enjoyed Alison and Ewans 50th birthday
party in 2005 when she toured the canals and sampled some space tea for the first time.
She had a number of road trips to Scotland with her close friend June Longmuir and they both
shared fondness for Famous Grouse.
Rita was famously hospitable throughout her life. Childhood memories include friends and relatives
being entertained at a table groaning with home- cooked food and vegetables from the garden. It
would be hard to escape being offered refreshments when visiting Rita and she enjoyed others
company tremendously.
Rita continued to write poems and collect sayings in her notebooks all her life. She would write
poems on every day events in the lives of friends and family. Many people have been amused,
challenged and comforted by her musings. Some examples of her output can be found with
photographs on the website we have set up in her memory www.longwill.net . We hope others will
add their reflections and photos too.
Rita continued to surprise. Having eschewed modern appliances she gained a washing machine on
her move to Debenham. At the age of 80 years, she discovered the joy of wearing trousers and was
subsequently rarely seen without them. She wrote a poem about this which is on her website.
Rita had decided opinions on many issues (not always welcomed), but always retained empathy with
outsiders from the mainstream such as the homeless and those troubled by alcoholism or mental
illness. She could be fiery and opinionated but enjoyed debate and would rebel against received
wisdom at times. She was independent and clear-minded but usually diplomatic. She did not engage
in any family or neighbourly feuds and was forgiving of others.
Rita experienced significant times of great sadness and adversity. The death of her beloved sister
Brenda in her 20s was devastating. The premature and sudden death of Allen meant that her later
years were not shared with her husband of nearly 40 years. Rita experienced cancer 14 years ago
which was successfully treated with major surgery. The most overwhelming loss was the untimely
death of her son Andrew, aged 52, in November 2009. She faced life with stoicism and courage but
the scars remained in deep but private grief.
Rita remained alert and engaged with life until her last days on earth. In the last few weeks she had
hugely enjoyed entertaining grand-daughter Lizzie and her husband Heath, Grandsons Silas and
George who ate her out of house and home and her nephew Lloyd and his family. Rita had a lively
mind and sense of humour. She had several jokes and observations which made us roar with
laughter even in her last days.
In the sad task of starting to clear Ritas possessions, we are struck by how few items of monetary
value she has owned. She was always smart but never interested in expensive jewellery, antiques,
expensive furniture and fittings or other flim flam. However, tucked away in boxes and albums
are treasured cards, childrens drawings and other memorabilia which formed the real texture of her
life and the importance she attached to a wide range of enduring family relationships and
friendships.
Rita you were an inspiration and a one-off. We will miss you terribly, but your spirit lives on and
guides those who have truly known and loved you.
Alison Longwill - Dec 2014

Page 3 of 3

20 December 2014