RAELA CROFT

Croft, Raela, Belmont, Nenagh, died peacefully, at Nenagh Manor Nursing Home, on 19th September 2022. She will be much missed by her friends and family. She was a well read, wise and generous friend who always made time for others. Chats at her kitchen table often became thought provoking conversations.

Known as Rae, she and her late husband Dennis, retired to Nenagh over twenty years ago having fallen in love with the area from holiday visits in earlier years.

Rae, and Dennis, immersed themselves in community life supporting the redevelopment of the Scout Hall, new facilities at St Mary’s Junior school, being members of the choir and being key participants in the Christmas Tree Festival at St Mary’s Church.  

Rae worked as a headteacher at Woodhill, a large primary school in South London. Here she led a team who supported children with a multitude of backgrounds and languages.

In retirement she furthered her passion as a gardener, using much of her own produce in home cooking and jam making. Rae and Dennis looked after several rescued dogs and Rae was a prolific knitter. She knitted hundreds of woolly hats for children in Africa, a wonderful nativity scene and Christmas puddings in which she hid chocolate oranges to raise funds at the Christmas Tree Festival.

Rae enjoyed time at Sue Ryder home in Nenagh before age and failing health meant she could stay there no longer.

She is survived by Nicky her daughter and Wendy her step daughter.

Rae did not want a funeral. There will be a private cremation and, in the future, a memorial service to celebrate her life. That will be announced here in due course.