Life dedicated to music
A large congregation attended a thanksgiving service in St Peter and St Paul's Church, Eye, for the life and work of Ann Courtenay Channon of Church Street.
Mrs Channon had been married to Merlin Channon for 58 years and also leaves a daughter Biddy.
Born in London in 1924 to a family of lawyers, Mrs Channon attended Studley Agricultural College during the Second World War before working on the land.
Her distinguished musical career began during her schooldays when she learned to play the clarinet.
She joined the school’s junior orchestra and progressed to the senior orchestra and even practised while milking the cows at Studley.
After the war she joined many musical groups and also taught the clarinet at schools and colleges.
In 1950 she met Merlin, a fellow musician, and the couple married a year later.
They first came to Suffolk in 1955 when Mr Channon became director of music at Woolverstone Hall, living on a barge until they moved into the Old Rectory at Ewarton. During this time their daughter was born and Mrs Channon played with the Ipswich Orchestral Society and sang in the Ipswich Bach Choir.
They moved to Eye 36 years ago, where they founded the Eye Bach Choir a year later.
Mrs Channon also ran a book binding business and helped with Meals on Wheels.
Jack Williams, a founder member of the Bach Choir, said in tribute: “She had a full and rich life and all of us are better for having had her to share it with.”
The vicar, Rev Andrew Mitcham, officiated and the address was given by Rev Michael Thompson.
A Bach motet was sung by a section of the Eye Bach Choir, conducted by Mary Bingham. The organist was Peter Lee.
Donations were given to the Children’s Society and the Church Appeal Fund.
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Weather for Diss
Thursday 02 September 2010
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 9 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: South east
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Sunny spells
Temperature: 9 C to 18 C
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