At St. Joseph's Church yesterday, Miss Veronica Dorothy Thirlwell, one of Hong Kong's most prominent lady swimmers and the eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. T. Thirlwell of Taikoo Docks, was married to Mr. Frederick John Willey. Rev. Father A. Riganti officiated.
Attended by her two sisters, Ivy and Mildred, the bride was given away by her father, while her brother Charles was the best man. Miss Aileen Thirlwell was the flower girl, and Miss Marie Alves was at the organ. After the ceremony, a reception was held at the Gloucester Hotel. The honeymoon is to be spent in Macao.
Very interesting write-ups. I did know Veronica "Ronnie" Willey personally as she was good friends with my mother for many years. Veronica did also have two daughters Barbara who still resides in Brazil in S America and a younger daughter Beverley Ann Willey who married also at St Joseph's Church in Hong Kong.
Beverley's husband was American but she split up with him and is living in Arizona today with a daughter Veronica and a son Louis. Her mother Veronica did pass away in the US several years ago. That's all I know.
Cross-harbour Swim, Railway Pier, TST to the Seawall outside Butterfield and Swire's Offices
Miss Veronica Thirlwell representing the Victoria Recreation Club retained her title in the annual cross-harbour swim held on 13 October 1937. Her sister, Aileen Thirlwell came in third. She clocked a time of 30 minutes and 57 1/2 seconds.
Comments
Her wedding was reported on
Her wedding was reported on page 5 of the Hong Kong Daily Press, 1938-04-25:
WILLEY—THIRLWELL
At St. Joseph's Church yesterday, Miss Veronica Dorothy Thirlwell, one of Hong Kong's most prominent lady swimmers and the eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. T. Thirlwell of Taikoo Docks, was married to Mr. Frederick John Willey. Rev. Father A. Riganti officiated.
Attended by her two sisters, Ivy and Mildred, the bride was given away by her father, while her brother Charles was the best man. Miss Aileen Thirlwell was the flower girl, and Miss Marie Alves was at the organ. After the ceremony, a reception was held at the Gloucester Hotel. The honeymoon is to be spent in Macao.
Veronica Willey
Very interesting write-ups. I did know Veronica "Ronnie" Willey personally as she was good friends with my mother for many years. Veronica did also have two daughters Barbara who still resides in Brazil in S America and a younger daughter Beverley Ann Willey who married also at St Joseph's Church in Hong Kong.
Beverley's husband was American but she split up with him and is living in Arizona today with a daughter Veronica and a son Louis. Her mother Veronica did pass away in the US several years ago. That's all I know.
Veronica Dorothy Willey nee Thirlwell
From my entry for Elizabeth Dorothea Frances Thirlwell spouse of James Thomas Thirlwell 1884 - 1941
Veronica Dorothy Thirlwell 10 January 1921 Hong Kong - 3 February 2008 Phoenix Arizona
Married Frederick John Willey 24 Apr 1938 • St Joseph’s Church, Hong Kong, British Crown Colony
Veronica Thirlwell
Cross-harbour Swim, Railway Pier, TST to the Seawall outside Butterfield and Swire's Offices
Miss Veronica Thirlwell representing the Victoria Recreation Club retained her title in the annual cross-harbour swim held on 13 October 1937. Her sister, Aileen Thirlwell came in third. She clocked a time of 30 minutes and 57 1/2 seconds.
Thirlwell had also won the title in 1935.
Source
China Mail 14 October 1937