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Monday, April 8, 2002 Locals mourn loss of Queen MumBy ANNE GEGGIS | News-Journal Staff Writer DAYTONA BEACH — Among her former subjects in this area, the passing of a more genteel, less selfish era is being mourned with the death of England's "Queen Mum." The Queen Mother died in her sleep March 30 at the age of 101, and she will be buried in formal ceremonies Tuesday. She is remembered best by area residents for her solidarity with all Britons during the London Blitz of World War II. Against the wishes of royal advisers, the royal family insisted on staying at Buckingham Palace as German bombs rained on the city. "She's been a part of our lives for the whole of our lives," said Monya Winzer Gilbert of DeLand, the retired development director of Seaside Music Theater and former host of the radio program "Symphony Hall." "It's almost like losing one of one's own family." Gilbert's father was a world-renowned London Symphony Orchestra flutist who had played at Queen Elizabeth II's coronation. And Gilbert, who, as a girl, had a close encounter with the Queen Mother during a visit to her school in England, said that Prince Charles' grandmother made the royal family appear more human. But, even as she was the first to start the "walkabouts" — royals walking down a street, shaking hands and talking with people — she maintained a certain exemplary decorum, Gilbert said. "This is the end of an era, an era of gentility, and virtue and devotion to duty," Gilbert said. The Queen Mother, wife of King George VI, was unexpectedly thrust into the role of Queen Consort when her brother-in-law abdicated the throne to marry an American divorcee. But her fans across the pond seem to think that she had a natural aplomb that made her perfect for the royal role. "She's been a great character in England," said Heather Ragsdale of Ormond Beach. Her son, Adrian Barnes, appointed as the royal court's remembrancer, was next to the Lord Mayor of London in the procession as the Queen Mother's body lay in state. "She's part of our history and she had this particular style of clothes — flowing, pastel clothes — and she stayed with that style," she said. Indifferent to any of the latest wisdom, Ragsdale said the Queen Mother, who never missed a party, enjoyed two gin and tonics or a gin and Dubonnet every night of her life. She also loved theater and theatrical people, discovering Elton John and asking him to perform for her before he became famous. The Queen Mother also had an ancient Scottish castle restored to its former glory, with electricity and running water, that will be open to the public soon after her funeral. "It's a piece of my life that has gone with the Queen Mother," Ragsdale said. Growing up in the British colony of Ceylon, now Sri Lanka, Eve Cavale of Ormond Beach has such a love for all things British that she had a party celebrating the Queen Mother's 100th birthday. In June, she and her friends are throwing a gala affair to mark the 50 years of Queen Elizabeth II's reign. But Cavale says she's glad the Queen Mother led the full life that she did. "She was going blind," Cavale said. "It would have been tragic to see the Queen Mother going blind." HICI Special Report — England's Celebrity: Getting the Royal Treatment! |
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