On Thursday 26th March, 2015, at 11:30am a service of thanksgiving for the life of Clarissa Theresa Philomena Aileen Mary Josephine Agnes Elsie Trilby Louise Esmerelda Dickson Wright was held at St Bride’s Church, Fleet Street. Download Order of Service (pdf)
The Revd Canon Dr Alison Joyce delivered the bidding:
We are here to celebrate the life and to honour the memory of Clarissa Dickson Wright – or, to name her more comprehensively, Clarissa Theresa Philomena Aileen Mary Josephine Agnes Elsie Trilby Louise Esmerelda Dickson Wright.
Memorial services commonly feature the use of superlatives. But in Clarissa’s case they are undoubtedly deserved. Indeed, to describe Clarissa as ‘larger than life’ feels like rather an understatement, for she truly was an extraordinary human being. As we give thanks for her today, we remember a woman of immense character, and quite extraordinary courage.
Clarissa was much loved, and will be greatly missed by those who knew her. And so as we remember her today, we give thanks for all that she achieved; for all that she has meant to us; and for all that she was.
An opening prayer by the priest and poet, John Donne: Bring us, O Lord, at our last awakening Into the house and gate of heaven, To enter into that gate and dwell in that house Where shall be no darkness nor dazzling, but one equal light; No noise nor silence, but one equal music; No fears nor hopes, but one equal possession: No ends nor beginnings, but one equal eternity In the habitations of your glory and dominion, World without end.
Amen.
Addresses
Edward Armitage
Jan McCourt
Readings
Peter Gott read 1 Thessalonians 4: 13-18
13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
Sara Dudley read an extract from Tobermory by Saki
Dr Robert Lefever read an extract from The Big Book – The Basic Text for Alcoholics Anonymous
Henrietta Green read the Introduction from A History of English Food by Clarissa Dickson Wright
Music
The choir & organist of St Bride’s performed the following anthems and songs:
We wait for thy loving kindness, O Lord – McKie
Upon a bank – Mealor
Rasputin – Farian arr. Morley
Steal Away – trad. arr. Tippett
Libiamo from La Traviata – Verdi
Final movement, Symphony No 1 – Vierne
Hymns:
He who would valiant be
Dear Lord and Father of mankind
Jerusalem
OBITUARIES & COMMENT
“I’d like to be remembered for humour and for believing what
I say. I’d like to be considered a person of integrity, in the sense
that I’ve always stood up for my beliefs however unpopular
that might have been at the time. That I said what I thought,
whether people agreed with it or not, also that I was quite
happy to allow them the right to say what they thought
whether I agreed with it or not. I’d like to be considered as
someone who enjoyed good food, good laughter, the company
of my friends and just generally as a good old fat cook.” CDW
