Vale Marion French – the passing of a determined lady sailor
by Eric Wegman on 22 May 2013
Marion French Marion French
The Royal Brighton Yacht Club community is sad to announce the passing of Marion French (nee Austin), this last Saturday.
Marion had an eventful life. She sailed 12’ Cadet Dinghies as a youngster, served as WAAF during the war, and in the early days when girls and ladies were not welcome as fully fledged members of yacht clubs, she and other enthusiastic female sailors established the Victorian Ladies Yacht Club (now the Hampton Sailing Club).
When associate membership was finally introduced in 1976, Marion became a stalwart member of RBYC. Marion and her late husband Bill owned the yachts Phantom (6 metre) and Artemis (Triton class). The latter name lives on in the Artemis pursuit trophy donated by Marion, still keenly competed for every year by RBYC yachts.
Marion lived life to the full, sailing all manner of boats from fast little 16 ft skiffs to larger keel boats, travelling around the world, studying foreign languages like French and German, and actively taking part in Yacht Club and WAAF activities.
She was one of RBYC’s wonderful band of volunteers, and although she had to give away sailing in her later years, Marion continued to contribute in assisting the Club and its’ Auxiliary with the preparation and mailing of Club letters and newsletters. Her smile and always positive attitude will be missed in the Clubhouse.
Marion French was 89, and still lived independently in her house near the yacht Club, a house full of sailing and Club memorabilia, and a testimony to her lifelong interest in sailing.
RBYC is coincidentally hosting the Brighton Ladies Skippers Series this weekend, and will mark Marion’s passing at the regatta.
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