Anita Pascall
1925 – 2012
Born in Montevideo, Uruguay, Anita came to settle in Caterham when her parents, Sybil and ‘Robby’ Robertson, returned to England in 1927. At age fourteen, Anita was made to board at Eothen School in Caterham, because of difficulty getting out of bed in the morning. When war broke out Anita stayed in Portesham, Dorset, and later worked for the Bank of England in Hampshire where, on the back of Anita’s bike,Sybil first experienced her passion for speed down a long hill, with no brakes!
Anita met Richard at a tennis club dance in 1946, marrying in 1947.They first lived in a flat above the Pure Lemon Juice factory in Croydon, and then in Carshalton Beeches. An ever expanding family required a move to “Broadway” in Warlingham in 1956 and then, in 1969, just a few hundred yards to “Monowai” complete with large garden and swimming pool, the scene of many great parties.
Anita balanced a very active life bringing up five children, unfailing support to Richard and creating wonderful family homes, with numerous activities such as art and sculpture, and keeping a menagerie. Family holidays resembled major expeditions whether it was summer holidays at Felpham, skiing, sailing or an hilarious effort at camping in Scotland.
As well as her artistic talent, Anita gained a sense of mischief from Sybil’s family, one aunt having gained notoriety for applying golden syrup to a ship captain’s lavatory seat. Anita’s practical jokes included placing a cup of dried peas soaking in water above a metal tray, concealed in a visitor’s bedroom cupboard, waking the visitor as the peas fell out of the cup onto the metal. Or a pair of stockinged inflatable legs might be found sticking out from under a bed. Water fights were epic and fancy dress competitions an irresistible challenge.
From 1978, Anita and Richard enjoyed 32 idyllic years as an integral part of Slindon, in no small measure due to the legendary hospitality both given and received in this wonderful community. Anita became known as a lady with high expectations of both herself and others. Whatever she did, such as the church flowers or making scores of meringues for the village fete, she did with style, energy and single mindedness, and no expense spared. Love and care were lavished on the garden, which included a trail of adventure through the shrubbery where children would meet characters (including The Bong Tree) from Lear and Milne, the animals sculpted in clay by Anita. Anita’s miniature of Mulberry House features in the Slindon Millennium Map in The Coronation Hall. Where, some years earlier, Anita played Dandino in Slinderella.
After Richard died in 2010, with customary determination and fortitude, Anita made the tough decision to move from Mulberry House to Fontwell where she stamped her mark on her new home at The Chase. Even the evening before she died she was calling family and friends for advice on her latest project: spinning sugar. Anita truly lived her life to the full.