RNA Stalwart Crosses the Bar, with over 100 Mourners at Bodmin, Cornwall
One of Bodmin’s earliest Shipmates, Patricia Cornwell, affectionally known as Trish, was laid to rest in Bodmin on Tuesday 11th August, at 93 years of age.
Standard bearers from Bodmin, Plymouth, Falmouth and St. Austell lined the route as she arrived to over 100 mourners, many of them friends from her “RNA family”.
Trish was the wife of the late Vic Cornwell, Treasurer and Secretary of the 
Bodmin Branch and nationally recognized and respected Standard Bearer, and indeed the donor of the Vic Cornwell Trophy.
One of ten children, she was a mother with children from her first husband Gerald and to Vic’s children, all of whom were at the ceremony to remember and celebrate her long and rich life, which began on the 8th of April 1933, when she was born at 66 Pool Street, and in fact only ever lived in three houses her entire life – all in Bodmin Cornwall.
Despite times being tight, Trish would often recount when space was tight, and she would laugh as she recalled sleeping head to toe with her brothers and sisters, with army coats serving as extra blankets during the winter. She also had a cheeky mischievous streak. Pennies given to her for Sunday School somehow found their way to the sweet shop instead. It worked…for a while at least, until she was eventually found out!
From an early age, Trish discovered what would become one of her greatest gifts…caring for others. She trained as a student nurse at St Lawrence Hospital, a role she absolutely loved. She had a natural kindness, endless compassion and a genuine love for her patients, qualities that would remain with her throughout her life.
After raising her family, Trish returned to St Lawrence Hospital, this time working evenings in the laundry, fitting work around family life with the quiet determination that characterised so much of who she was.
Life dealt Trish some incredibly difficult chapters, her first husband Gerald sadly passed away in 1986, but as she proved time and again throughout her life, she found the strength to keep moving forwards. A wonderful new chapter began when she reconnected with an old childhood friend, Victor Cornwell. They married and enjoyed many happy years together. Trish embraced Victor’s family as her own and, through him, discovered another family…the Royal Naval Association in Bodmin.
The RNA became a huge part of her life, bringing lasting friendships, wonderful memories and countless social events (or, as Trish always called them, “dos.”) She loved every opportunity to dress up, and the shoes, of course, had to be comfortable…because Trish intended to spend the evening on the dance floor. She even won jiving competitions in her younger days with Gerald, and family weddings always found Trish leading the way, still dancing with joy well into her eighties.
Trish also possessed a wonderfully adventurous side. At the age of 55, having never travelled further than Bodmin, she bravely boarded a plane alone to visit her sister Shirley in Australia. Understandably nervous during the stopover, she solved the problem in typical Trish fashion…she simply followed another family around the airport until it was time to board the next flight. Genius!
Home was always where Trish’s heart truly belonged. She adored her garden, especially her roses, and even in recent years would venture outside with her walking frame to lovingly tend to them.
She also had the softest of hearts for animals, especially dogs. Losing her beloved Chloe broke her heart, and every family dog that followed found a special place in hers, including Jenny the Sprocker, who shared a particularly close bond with her.
Trish’s family meant the world to her. She was a devoted mum, a much-loved mother-in-law, a proud Nan and Nana to eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
She also showed remarkable courage throughout her life, facing cancer not once, but three times, along with many other health challenges. She met every obstacle with quiet strength and determination.
When we think of Trish, we will remember her beautiful smile, her gentle kindness, her generous heart, and, of course, her crowning glory, her beautiful white hair, of which she was always so proud.
Ninety-three years is a remarkable story. A story of resilience and compassion, of family and friendship, of dancing, laughter, generosity and unconditional love.
As the Service ended on Tuesday, it closed with one of her favourite songs, one which she was always get up and dance to at “a do” – Spirit in the Sky, by Norman Greenbaum, which left everyone at the service with big smiles – many whispering – “only Trish” – thanks for the smiles but rest peacefully now, Trish, knowing that you are forever loved, forever remembered, and that your story will continue to be told for generations to come.
A Wake or as Trish always referred to a social “A Do”, followed at Lanhydrock Golf and Country Club where Trish’s three remaining children were presented with living bouquets – three roses plants from Bodmin RNA named “Remember Me, “Bright Smile” and “Mum in a Million” and the branch hopes that they continue to thrive as much as the ones Trish tended to herself whilst she was alive.
