Registered Charity No. 257040 • Tel: 02392 725141

Felicity “Fizz” Sellers

1945 – 2020

 

 

Felicity “Fizz” Sellers, nee Pearce

Felicity “Fizz” Pearce joined the WRNS in 1964 at the age of 19 and served with the MT (Motor Transport) division RNAS Culdrose in Helston, Cornwall. Fizz’s naval career was cut short after meeting John Sellers and she left in March 1966 – Fizz & John married in the April. Fizz’s allegiance to the Association of Wrens remained throughout her life.

With John in the Fleet Air Arm, they remained in Cornwall. They welcomed Christopher in 1968 and Juliet in 1970 and during those early years John also fulfilled sorties to Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia & New Zealand. There were brief relocations to RNAS Portland, Weymouth and RAF Turnhouse, Edinburgh, but both times the family returned to Helston.

Never one to rest on her laurels, Fizz was a founder of Culdrose’s Public Viewing Enclosure, a portacabin from which they served members of the public with copious cups of tea, numerous hot dogs and homemade cakes (Fizz’s flapjacks were legendary!).

In 1982, Fizz was part of the welcoming committee for Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal’s visit to Culdrose. Fizz also worked at Helston library until she and John left Cornwall in 1987.

With John posted to Seafield Park, Hampshire, Fizz started working at the local Relate marriage guidance office and it was here that she and colleagues enjoyed an official visit from Diana, Princess of Wales. During her time in Hampshire, Fizz achieved her Advanced Driving qualification – she was often called on to shuffle cars around in the Relate carpark and was notorious for being able to ‘park on a penny’.

In 1993, John retired from the Royal Navy and Fizz left Relate and in January 1994, they relocated to Newbury, Berkshire where Fizz went on to be a volunteer with local Cancer Research charity shop and was an active member of the W.I. and Horticultural Society, while also working for Dreweatt Neate.

During retirement, life didn’t slow down for Fizz and through the Wrens’ Association network, she and John enjoyed group trips to Gibraltar (2005), New Zealand (2006), South Africa (2008), Canada (2009) and China (2010). Her passion for driving culminated in being selected as a VIP driver for the 2012 Olympics, based in Weymouth (accommodation courtesy of the inimitable Jane “Juffy” Uff).

From 2013, John & Fizz then embarked on a series of ‘staycations’ and in 2014 they re-visited the hotel on Lake Windermere where they honeymooned back in 1966. In 2016 they celebrated their Golden Wedding anniversary.

John & Fizz were happily married for 54 years, John passed away after a heroic battle with cancer on 3 August 2020 and Fizz died from Multiple System Atrophy just 6 weeks later, on 25 September 2020. Colours for Fizz’s funeral included blue and gold – a nod to her longstanding involvement with the Association of Wrens.