It is with great sadness that we note the death of Roy Evans at his home close to the Settlement, on 2 January, just three months short of his 90th birthday. Many of you will know him from attending the Settlement, or seeing him around Letchworth town centre.
Roy was the Settlement’s Warden from January 1963 until he retired in January 2001. He must have seen a great deal of change in that time, and had to deal with many of the challenges that we still face today. And he would have known the Settlement building better than anyone as at the beginning of his wardenship he lived in the Settlement flat. At the Settlement’s 1980 AGM, the then President said that he had known all of the Settlement’s wardens, but that Roy worked twice as hard as any of them.
After his retirement, Roy still maintained a very close connection with the Settlement – he was a great friend and support. It was fitting that despite the Covid restrictions, he unveiled the commemorative plaque to mark the Settlement’s centenary in 2020.
Many of you will also know his sons, Jeremy and Robert. They have told us that they will take great comfort in the fact that their Dad kept up tradition by tucking into the Evans’ family Christmas pudding on Christmas Day, just eight days before his death.
Jeremy and Robert have also shared with us a phrase that struck a chord with Roy after his wife, Diana, died just over 20 years ago: “Say not in sorrow that he is no more, but say in thankfulness that he was”. We echo this as we are very thankful for the long association that Roy had with the Settlement. We know he will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him.
Roy’s funeral service will be held at 12 noon on Friday 24 January at Central Methodist Church, Pixmore Way, Letchworth Garden City, followed by burial in the Wilbury Hills Cemetery (Stotfold Road). Afterwards, you are invited to join Jeremy and Robert for lunch in the Kincaid Hall here at the Settlement. If you do not wish to go to the cemetery you will be very welcome to come straight to the Settlement.
Roy’s wish was for flowers from his immediate family only “as it will be much better to invite donations.” His nominated beneficiaries are the Settlement and the Central Methodist Church.
Roy was always keen to encourage the use of Gift Aid for charitable donations so if you can Gift Aid, it will increase the value of your donation by 25% at no cost to you.
Edited 2nd March 2025 to remove out of date links and details
