‘Adored’ Cookham centenarian leaves legacy of ‘class and courage’ to family and friends

Tributes have been paid to an ‘adored’ Cookham resident who lived with ‘class and courage’, after her death at the age of 100-years-old.  

Evelyn Dunn celebrated her centenary birthday on April 4, 2024 and enjoyed a celebration fit for the occasion – surrounded by scores of friends and family.  

She told family there were three wishes she had this year: to reach 100, to have a dance on her birthday and to see her newborn great-grandson. She fulfilled all of these.  

Evelyn died at her home in Cookham on September 23 after a short illness with cancer.

“She was always there for me,” said daughter Beverly Claxton.

“You’d know if there was any problem she’d be there and she’d know what to do.

“I hope that my kids can do the same with me when they do have problems.

“I like to think I'm the first person they would ring I hope - and that’s what it was like with mum; we were very close.”

Evelyn and her husband John in 1964

Evelyn was born in 1924 and lived grew up in Ealing.

She was a talented artist and fashion designer whose route to the industry was derailed by the start of World War Two.

But following the war, with her artistic spirit continuing, she designed her own dress which she wore for her wedding to John.

This delicate satin and lace dress cost £10 in 1948, more than £300 in today’s money.

Evelyn’s granddaughters Sophia and Yvie plan to use some of the fabric in their own wedding dresses.

“She was very fashionable,” Beverly said, “always dressed impeccably.”

“She would get up and put her watch and necklace on - even right up to the end.”

Evelyn lived in Strande Park, Cookham since 1996. 

Evelyn with her family at her party in April

For her 100-year birthday this year, around 80 friends and family – some from as far away as Canada – joined celebrations at Moor Hall.

Revellers enjoyed music and dancing to some of Evelyn’s favorite songs including Frank Sinatra’s New York, New York.

Evelyn turned back the clock and joined in the dancing too.   

Beverly said: “She said ‘I just want to see my 100th; have a dance; and see Mati [her great grandson] born’ and - all of those happened.”

Evelyn’s granddaughter Sophia Duffy said: “Nanna rarely said the words ‘I love you’; she believed you didn’t need to loosely use the words, you felt it through action, which she absolutely always did.

“Thank you for showing all of us such genuine love, you set a perfect example for how to tackle life with class & courage, to seize opportunity every day and live life to the fullest.

“This is why you were adored by everyone you met.”

Evelyn wanted her brain donated to science. It is now with the Brain Bank at Oxford University.

Her funeral took place in St Michael’s Church in Bray on October 14.