A Tribute to Pauline Callard from CTF
Giving Thanks for a life of Christian Service

Churches Together in Farnham shares in giving thanks to God for the life of Pauline Callard, former Secretary of Farnham Council of Churches / Churches Together in Farnham, and a leading supporter of ecumenism in Farnham and beyond.

Pauline died on 29th March 2016, in Easter week, aged 98. A Service of Thanksgiving for her life of Christian service was held on 20th April at Farnham Methodist Church.

The Revd.Conrad Hicks, Farnham Methodist Minister, led the service, the Revd.Keith Underhill, Methodist Superintendent, gave the first reading and Judith Gain (Pauline’s niece) the second.

In his address, Pauline’s nephew, Canon David Callard, said: 

“In the afterglow of Easter, we meet here in her Church, where she worshipped for almost 40 years and often preached in her 20 years as Local Preacher, to remember her with enormous thanksgiving.

“All through life, family were so important to Pauline.  She grew up within a large Methodist family circle and always relished family gatherings.  She especially loved being with the younger generation of nephews and nieces, great nephews and nieces, and great greats.  Her niece, Judith Gain, living nearby, was ‘the wonderful one who was like a loving daughter, quietly and thoughtfully supporting her through to the end.’  Pauline was also a wonderfully loyal friend, who kept friends over a lifetime.

“In her happy retirement years in Farnham, Pauline gave so much humble service within the local community.  All this complemented her wonderful more-public service to the Methodist Church nationally.  Active in many different churches through her working life, at Kingsway Hall she worked very closely with the Revd.Donald Soper.  She served on the Overseas Division of the Methodist Church with distinction.  Also she was an “ecumaniac”, supporting all inter-church work and development in practical ways.”

Canon Callard concluded:

“Pauline lived a life of consistent, unswerving service, her faith undimmed, her hope bright.  She died, greatly loved, in the superb care of the Wey Valley House staff, in her 99th year.  And we all say:  ‘Thank you, Lord for sparing Pauline to us for so long, and for so many unforgettable memories of her.’”

 
Born in Torquay, Pauline studied at Exeter University College where she obtained a BA in Social Studies.  She was involved in the war effort, working mainly in London, helping to set up the National Savings Committee, working as an Economist/Statistician.  In 1944, she was appointed Chief Statistician to the UNRRA Mission to Austria and she worked in Vienna in 1946/47.  She then returned to Exeter University as Lecturer - then Senior Lecturer - in Economics.  From 1949-65, she also became Warden of Barton Place, a newly acquired women’s Hall of Residence.  In 1965, to her own amazement, Pauline was appointed Principal of Southlands College of Education, a well known Methodist foundation in Wimbledon, where she worked until her retirement in 1977.  She is credited with battling for and securing the best future for her beloved college, when she succeeded in getting it granted University status as she left in 1977.

In Farnham, Pauline was deeply involved in many aspects of Farnham Council of Churches - which became Churches Together in Farnham - serving as Secretary for a number of years, until she handed over to her niece, Judith Gain, in 1983/84.

Jenny Floyer, of Churches Together in Farnham, remembers:

“Pauline was a great encourager.  I loved visiting her in her welcoming home in Bridgefield during the 1990s.  She was very involved in Churches Together and responsible for organising the ecumenical Lent groups and weeks of prayer for Christian unity, encouraging me to take part in leading various groups.  Pauline belonged to the Companions of Brother Lawrence.  One summer she invited me to drive her to her CBL retreat in Derbyshire.  I made some delightful friends on this retreat, with three of whom I am still in contact.  Pauline had a tremendous concern and interest in people and was a good friend to many.  I shall never forget her wonderful smile and sense of fun.”