RHODA Harrison, who died at Abbotsfield Nursing Home, Tavistock, on April 5, aged 94, led a life of caring for others. Born at The Lizard Lighthouse in 1912, the daughter of a lighthouse chief engineer, she enjoyed an idyllic childhood as she grew up with her elder brother Jack. She entered the Norland Institute, the famous nurses' training college, in 1931. During the second world war she looked after the three children in the Duncan family who lived at Liss in Hampshire. She also had charge of a baby evacuated under the Government's scheme who had arrived in very poor condition. This child was singled out as having benefited under Nurse Harrison's care. In 1944 she worked at the Public Assistance Institution in Helston and later that year moved to work at the Bodriggy Nursery Home at Hayle. In 1945 Nurse Harrison finished her war work and returned to the Duncan family. She later moved to work for the family of former North Cornwall MP Commander A M Williams at Werrington Park near Launceston. She stayed with this family until 1954, looking after their son. The boy was seriously ill in 1949 and Mrs Williams described how Nurse Harrison nursed him devotedly day and night. 'He owes his life very largely to her devoted and efficient nursing.' she said. In 1960 she moved back home to Gillan, near Helston, to look after her parents. Her father died within a few months of her return but she remained at Gillan looking after her mother until her death in 1977. She began work as a short-term foster mother. Of all the work she did during her long life this ranks as the most important, as all those who came under her care would readily agree. Nurse Harrison moved to Tavistock in 1980, where for the remaining 27 years of her life she played a full part in the local community, notably babysitting as well as doing a great deal of voluntary work with Tavistock Methodist Church. The small family funeral takes place today (Thursday) at 2pm on at St Keverne Church, The Lizard. There will be a memorial service later in Tavistock.
