John Vaudin, a long-time member of St Mary’s Church, and our organist until 2000, died in October, aged 86. This is what Canon Bruce Hartnell said at the Funeral Service:
The Vaudin family are of Channel Island stock but John’s life centred on Kitchener Road in Portswood.
At No 19 he and Roma were brought up in a home filled with music, piano and organ.
John showed musical aptitude but, the 1930s being difficult times, his father could not afford private tuition and tried doing the job himself.
John’s ability to play things by ear (so skipping the more intricate notes Mr Schumann had written) frustrated and annoyed his Dad. But it stood him in good stead in the forces where he played piano in a band besides being a wireless mechanic for the RAF. He was based in Iraq for four years.
In civilian life, John had worked in the offices of Rank Hovis before joining gentlemen’s outfitters Lewis Price in St Mary’s Street. He hated it there. After the war, a period spent in the electrical sub-station at Waterloo Station was much more to his taste.
But his mother’s illness brought him back to Lewis Price until he found work at Fawley Power Station on the National Grid, a job that was so good he stayed until retirement. Early in his time there, he was greatly influenced by a more experienced colleague who was an enthusiastic Christian.
At lunch breaks this man was always reading his Bible. John made what he later called a ‘rotten’ remark like ‘it seems as if your life depends on that book.’ ‘It does,’ was the reply. And after doing some suggested reading himself, John soon came to understand why.
Gladys lived next door to John at No 17. Both had stopped home to look after parents. Left on their own, their neighbourly friendship developed into something stronger and they married in 1961.
In loving recollection, John’s family recall that they were inseparable and their love for each other evident to all – a love extended to their nieces and nephews. Jane, Andrew and Kay would often pop down the road to see their Uncle John Boy and Auntie Gladys. ‘They were always pleased to see us,’ they remember, ‘and John helped with homework – art projects and mathematics.’
He was himself skilled in painting water colours and framing pictures. He hand-made an electric train set for Andrew complete with tunnels and bridges. He and Gladys were very happy to take the children out on the real thing to Winchester, for example.
Holidays were often family affairs with Gladys’ sister Marjorie, Ted her husband and Graham their son. Suzanne and Roger and their family in Kent might also be involved. Gladys and John were strong supporters of Crowhurst Christian Retreat Centre and often spent time there.
Membership of St Denys church and choir was succeeded in time by a close involvement in South Stoneham parish life and worship. They hosted Prayer Groups in their home and were quiet but real examples in their steadfast discipleship. John was resident organist for very many years at St Mary’s, playing at many a wedding. He was not there to perform but to contribute to worship, his own and other people’s.
When in October 2006 Gladys passed to the world beyond, John understandably found it very difficult to cope. On account of his dementia, he went to live at Greensleeves Rest Home and then to Wilton Manor. His family are most grateful to the staff in both places for their dedication to John’s needs. That dedication went well beyond the call of duty.
John recognised as a convinced Christian that life is full of dry patches but there are occasions when the Spirit breaks through. These occasions were, in his experience, ‘fantastic’ and left him simply saying ‘Wow’. To borrow St Francis’ words, ‘most kind and gentle death, waiting to hush our latest breath’ has led home this loved and smiling child of God.
Alleluia.
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