Iona Ouida Girdlestone Obituary (1924

Iona was born in Durban, South Africa, September 7th, 1924 to Paul and Rosa Schnelle. She passed away peacefully with her husband at her bedside in Provo, UT Wednesday morning, September 15th, 2010. Iona was the second daughter in the family and lived the first 6 years of her life traveling with her family who were Circus Performers. Her Mother was a trapeze artist and horse rider and her Father was a musical clown and acrobat. After leaving the circus, the family settled in Johannesburg where Iona and her sister were educated. Iona started work as a typist/bookkeeper in an Office Machine Company where she met and married her husband Henry Claude Nelson Girdlestone in 1944. She worked for many years as they raised their two daughters, until she was struck with Arthritis, which put her in a wheel chair for 30 years of her life. Iona and Nelson came to Provo in December 2005 to live with their eldest daughter and family where they were surrounded by grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Supported by her devoted husband, she bore her disability valiantly and was a fine example of endurance to her 8 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and a great-great-grandson, nephews, nieces and families. She is survived by her husband, daughters Eleanor and son-in-law Lindsay Wiblin, and Pam Riley living in England. Preceded in death by her sister Nelly Swanepoel, and brother Benny Schnelle. A Memorial Service will be held on Monday, September 20th, 2010 at 11:00am at the Carterville LDS Meeting House, 900 W 2150 N, Provo. A time to visit the family will be held one hour before the service at 10:00am. Condolences may be sent through www.bergmortuary.com or info@bergmortuary.com.