Pamela Buxton died early on Saturday morning, August 21. The news given by her husband Paddy, was sad but not unexpected. Pamela herself had steadfastly refused to be oppressed by her diagnosis several years back of terminal cancer. She continued bravely as we had known her, always smartly dressed and with her bright cheerfulness and interest in life.
Pamela and Paddy Buxton came to live at the rectory in Gungarden Rye in 1989, when Paddy was appointed to succeed Revd. David Maundrell as rector. Rather than becoming the traditional vicar’s wife, Pamela took on the post of administrator at Hillcrest School, Hastings.
She took great pleasure in her gardening but also joined in the social round, playing an active part in the life of Rye. When Paddy retired in 1994, with the bishop’s special permission to stay in the parish he served, they bought the house in The Mint with its lovely garden. The annual open garden event was always a popular fixture for charity fund-raising.
Together they enjoyed travelling and sailing holidays. In her spare time Pamela turned to writing, starting with children’s stories and then a series of successful novels. She took part on a writers’ panel with other local authors at the 2018 Rye Arts Festival.
Pamela had a sharp intelligence, questioning quite fiercely matters that were amiss or with which she did not agree. Attendance at the annual town meetings gave her scope for comment on matters of local concern.
A personal anecdote demonstrates her stoicism: a friend happened to be passing her house last week and looked in through the gate at her garden. “Come in, and look around” she called, "because I won’t be here next week.“ She vouchsafed the same to several others in her last weeks, an amazing example of bravery. Our best wishes go out to all her family.
The funeral will take place on Friday August 27 at Playden church and a memorial service will be held next Tuesday August 31 at 3pm in St Mary's, Rye.
