2003 - the DHO

Penny Mabey (1910-2003)
Many will remember Penny for her enormous generosity to the
young girl racers of today. She not only gave much needed
financial support, but also took a great interest in them and
particularly enjoyed reading the progress reports sent to her. She
understood the problems involved in being a ski racer. She
learned to ski as a young child but her happiest memories were
of her time at St George's School, in Switzerland, where she
began to ski race.
Skiing was a big part of the Mabey family life. It was skiing that
led to the fateful meeting with her husband, Bunty, in Miirren.
It is difficult to decide who fell over whom in the snow but the
result was 55 years of marriage and six children. She
encouraged her children to ski and, having discovered the
D.H.O, used to set off every Christmas to Wengen by car with
the entire family in tow. They spent many Christmases at the
Eiger Hotel and the children progressed from Coggins to
trainees, under the watchful eye of Ros Hepworth. Isabel
eventually graduated to the British Team and Tina was a
member of the British squad. Biddy went on to run the Coggins
for several years. Many of the numerous children and
grandchildren took BASI courses and some have also branched
out into snowboarding.
For many years, Penny was the SCGB's regional rep in the
South of England, organising local events, always willing and
generous of her time. Cartilage problems in her knees, and
arthritis, meant that she had to give up skiing in her 60s. She
was delighted when the doctor who did her hip replacement last
year told her that she would be able to ski again, something she
JohnCrossley 1966-2003
John Crossley, aged 36, died tragically on 21st April 2003 in
Grenoble Hospital as a result of massive head injuries sustained
in a ski-ing accident during a family ski-ing holiday in Alpe
d'Huez. It is understood he was off piste and ski-ed over a
rocky outcrop.
Johnnie (as he was known) was an excellent skier, having
started when he was at Aysgarth prep school, and he joined the
D.H.O in 1979 around his thirteenth birthday. He
subsequently went to Eton and Newcastle University before
being commissioned into the 9th/12th Lancers, his family
regiment. He captained the regimental ski team and was for
several years in the Army Inter-Services Team. Johnnie also had
a distinguished military career, which included service in the
first Gulf War, Belfast and Bosnia.
After leaving the army he worked first in France, and then ,
having married Sarah Freeland in 1997, lived and worked for
three years in New Zealand (where their twin daughters were
born) before returning to Yorkshire to set up his own catering
business "Simply Delicious" in Malton. He was a man of
infectious enthusiasm for all aspects of life - sporting, social,
was very excited about at the
age of 79. Sadly the brain
tumor, which struck her down
so quickly, put an end to that.
One of Penny's great qualities
was her love for children. She
knew how to entertain and
amuse them and would invite
disadvantaged children to stay
at her home. Not surprisingly
she trained as a teacher.
Another enduring love was
travel. Always ready for the
next adventure, she was
planning a trip to Cambodia, and up the Mekong River, when
she died.
Penny led a very active life. Not only was she Brown Owl and a
Guide Leader for many years, she helped the WRVS by working
twice a week at St Richard's Hospital, Chichester, regularly did
Meals on Wheels and taught at St Anthony's, a school for
children with learning difficulties. She taught Sunday School,
did flowers for the church and belonged to the flower club, the
bridge club, Nadfas, the Conservatives, the Royal Academy, the
West Wittering sailing club and countless other things. She was
a talented potter, silversmith and upholsterer. Her undying love
for people and for life was something that she strived to share
with everyone else. She was a character, a truly remarkable
woman, an inspiration to everyone she met.
business and, above all, family. His open, easy-going charm and
sense of humour endeared him to all he met.
He will be much missed; and we send our deepest condolences
to his widow, Sarah, his daughters Tinika and Mikaela, and all
his family.
AD
SR