Elvira "Dittie" Widdicombeof Tryon died Thursday, February4 at White Oak Manor. Born in Flushing, N.Y., August4, 1917, she was the daughterof Peter and Emma PalmerGuttilla. A life long librarian,she worked in libraries fromNew York to South and NorthCarolina and retiring, after manyyears, at the Lanier Library. Shehelped found the Meeting Placeand Peppermint Shoppe at theold St. Luke's Hospital on CarolinaDrive. She also worked forMental Health Services in WhitePlains, N.Y., and Tryon. Dittiewas well known for her generosityand volunteer work. Active inhosting exchange students withthe American Friends Service,Great Books, she also was knownfor cooking and baking fine foodas gifts to friends.Married to her loving husband,Robert Lord Widdicombe(1916-2008) and survived byher sons Richard Palmer Widdicombeand wife, Martha Bruynin Utica, N.Y., and David B.Widdicome of Tryon. She waspredeceased by her sons, PeterReynold Widdicombe (1943-2009) and Robert L. WiddicombeJr. (1947-1980). She is also survivedby grandsons Adrian LucasSchmettau of Raleigh, N.C., andWilliam Widdicombe (marriedto Maria) in Jaraboca, DR. andgreat grandchildren James andRobert Widdicombe.She is also survived by hersister, Marie Palmer Ackermanof Tryon and nieces and nephewsLauren Clarke (Mrs. Tim) of Mt.Pleasant, S.C., and Lynne Clarke(Mrs. Thomas) of Naples Island,Calif., and John F. Osborne (Virginia)of Fairlawn, N.J., and theirson Bill Osborne. Also, brotherin-law Alan and wife,RosemarieWiddicombe of Pleasanton, Calif.,and sister-in-law Mary Widdicombeof Copley, Ohio.A reception in Celebration ofher Life will be held by familyand friends at White Oak Villageat a date to be announced later inthis month of February. Friendsall knew Dittie Widdicombe asa great and sweet lady and thisis a poem she wrote to let othersknow how she felt about life...This is My timeDo not feel burdened by mygoingThis is My timeI neither fear nor welcome itBut accept what is to be.This is how I've tried to liveAccepting people as they areAnd how they want to beUnderstanding what makespeopleAs they are, has been of greatinterest to me.I hope you'll understandThat I have enjoyed this lifeThrough troubled and happytimesMy wishes were not alwaysmetBut neither were my fears.I dearly loved the friendshipsI have made - They helpedme growInto what I've become.But, Rob above all has beenMy strength and my greatestfriend.As to my dear family, theyhaveSustained me, loved me, putupWith me for enough years.Now it is time to letThose who live, get on withlivingAnd make the very best of liferemaining.With love and affection DittieWiddicombe
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