Last Saturday morning, the 13th of September 2025, the lovely David Church (number 17) passed from this world. A little over one month before his 81st birthday.

Dave was an indomitable soul.

If you came into Lucy Brown House during the day then invariably Dave was there walking around with his walking stick having a chat or smiling.

I was very attached to Dave. He helped greatly me when I was very ill.

He made an effort to visit me almost every day, that meant a lot when I was recovering from some viral infection or my lungs were completely knackered and I was confined to bed or the flat

On his visits, he would always ask a question or make a joke.

Dave was very interested in entertainment and regularly, he would tell me what’s happened on Good Morning Britain or something odd in the Metro newspaper.

Just Friday when I last saw him by the lifts, he commented on his favourite Countdown program saying “I can only get six, and now they include in foreign words!”

When I reminded him that the English language was full of foreign words such as cul-de-sac, fait accompli and coup d’etat he just smiled.

He liked to walk around to help with his legs and his COPD. On Friday when we chatted early morning, he said he was feeling a bit wobbly on his feet as his balance was going a bit. I replied that his walking stick might benefit from stabilisers. I said to contact the district nurse but he replied “I’ve been told they are coming soon and I don’t want to complain or anything”.

He enjoyed a good chat and he would spend 10 to 20 minutes at my door, putting the world to right, or arguing about TV/technology, how footballers were overpaid for “just kicking a ball” and trying to work out how to use his new phone, I gave it him the other week, as an early birthday present.

Dave wasn’t very fond of smartphones and how people used to stab them in the street, getting in his way. He bemoaned the fact that mobile phones seem to run our lives. I think he had a point.

Many days during the week, he would walk down to Munchies at Marshalsea Road to get fish and chips.

He tried to pop into the Cathedral when he could, he found great comfort there.

But Dave was very independent, he didn’t like having the carers come in and do the cleaning. When I was in his flat the other week setting up the new phone he promptly showed me around and how he tidied everything up, properly.

He could be cheerful, argumentative, a bit stubborn yet he was always amusing, supportive, and had a lovely smile.

I shall miss him enormously.

Brian, no. 15

PS: We do not have details of Dave’s funeral service and burial yet. Once they are known they will be published on this website.

Update 1:

Southwark Cathedral recently responded graciously to our email and suggested that they would be very happy to organise a service for Dave. Anita as the next of kin agreed it with Southwark Cathedral.

Provisional plan

Firstly, a cremation will be held at Honour Oak Crematorium. at a future date to be decided.

Clergy from the Cathedral will hold a short 15 minutes service there, anyone can attend.

Secondly, Dave’s ashes will be returned to the Cathedral for a future service later.

Thirdly, there will be a full religious service at the Cathedral for Dave, at a date to be decided.

Finally, Dave’s ashes will be buried within the Cathedral.

The exact dates and timings are not clear at the moment, but we’ve been told it could be four weeks plus.

When more information is available, this page will be updated.

NOTE: We will endeavour to organise free transport to and from the crematorium on the date decided.

We are looking for volunteers with an SUV or a large vehicle to assist with transportation. Please ask around. Please contact Brian at Brian@lucybrownhoue.org if you know anyone who is capable.

Closer to the date we will compile a list of provisional attendees, to be better able to calculate the transport requirements. If you wish to attend please talk with Brian.