The obituary notice of Rhian Valerie OWEN

In tribute to Rhian Owen, who freely gave of her heart and soul along with her great talents and humour. With love from Debbie & Rob. R.I.P. Rhian.

Never one to be over-sentimental, but you really cared. You loved your friends. You loved your family. You loved their company and delighted in their life highlights and successes, but you could also be that rock in stormy times. Stoic and pragmatic and able to divert sympathy with a sense of humour that danced between insightful, satirical, ironic, through to childlike, silly and highly creative. You had a giggle that lit up the greyest of days. You were perfect to be the Lifestyle Guru, and to run the lockdown online quizzes. You brought people together and made them better together. As I said you really cared. I hope you knew how much we all cared for you. R.I.P. Rhian. You were a great friend.

Rhian was a good friend for many years, during which we shared a lot of lunches. We always had a laugh. Online quiz nights were created during lockdown. Everyone enjoyed them so much they continued up until February this year. Theatre was a common interest too. I will... do....miss her

This is a tribute to Rhian from her lovely friend Maggie Muggleton.

ODE TO RHIAN

Dear Rhee, I cried when I heard you'd gorn
I was distraught and quite forlorn
You were unwell when last we'd spoken
But was unaware you were so broken
In early 80s when we met
And you learned you were to get
A lady driver on next coach
(Requiring slightly changed approach)
But we couldn't have been better matched-
A lasting friendship had been hatched
You loved a glass or two of vino
A jolly outing for a beano
Your favourite dish: Moules Mariniere
Especially au bord de la mer
Your favourite colours were all yellows
You had the strangest taste in fellows
Apostrophes put in wrong places
Made you pull disgusted faces
Selfish, thoughtless drivers too
Would likely turn the air quite blue
You had the deepest love for cats
And strong distaste for silly pratts
You had a love of all things living
Help to people freely giving
So proud to be from Pontypridd
Mistakes in grammar made you seethe
Wales and rugby were your passions
Not too fussed about following fashions
Your family were truly treasured
Your class as a teacher can be measured
By former students still in touch
(They clearly liked you very much)
Our humour levels were well matched
Amusing stories were dispatched
Between us for so many years
Inducing floods of laughter tears
And the Guru of Lifestyle Support
Would pen hysterical reports
And wittiness and tales and rants
Causing risk of wetting pants
You were never one to whinge and groan
Though certain things would make you moan
(The bloke in the pub wouldn't sling his hook
When you wished your peace to read your book)
Kindness was a major trait
Always such a special mate
On D-Day I will think of you
As always I am wont to do
Thanks for all the fun and laughter
Peace be yours for ever after.

Rhian, it was because of you that I am who I am now. Because of you I grew to have a love of Wales and ended up going to Uni there. It was probably because of you that I went into teaching and definately because of you that I went on to take 100s of students away on school camps. Although I hadn't seen you in a number of years, social media meant you never seemed that far away and you were often in my thoughts. Rest in Peace "Superteach".

You’ll be missed by so many people.

Miss Owen - you were the biggest inspiration of my teenage years. I was in awe of you and your wisdom, your zest for life and for organising the best pony trekking holidays ever. I have loved keeping in touch with you over the years since. I hope you've got a decent bottle of wine wherever you are. With love always, Kate Horton xxx

RIP Rhian
You will be missed. Kept us sane in lockdown with your fantastic quiz nights.
Di and Wak

David/Trevor, remember when we all (me + Rhian too)decided to run away so went to Ponty Park while the fair was there, when we had no money left we decided to find somewhere to sleep but as we walking down towards the play area your 2 older sisters found us as they had been looking for us. We were quite severely punished I remember, we had been missing for hours. Fun days.