9:59am Thursday 7th January 2010
By Michael Pickard
A “lovely lady” from Oxhey who was one of the first female newspaper reporters in Watford has died.
Gwen Dargavel joined the Watford Post in her early 20s where she rose to the position of chief reporter and later moved to the Watford Observer.
She spent more than 40 years working in newspapers before her retirement in 1988.
However, after a battle with breast cancer, Mrs Dargavel died after suffering from pneumonia on December 21, 2009. She was 81.
Mrs Dargavel was born to Doris and Jack Gurney on June 14, 1928. The family lived in Bovingdon and she had a younger sister Dorothy, who has also passed away, and a younger brother John.
She attended Hemel Hempstead Grammar School and in September 1949, she married Ron Dargavel.
As their wedding was so soon after the war, money was tight and many of the outfits worn by the family for the special occasion were borrowed from friends and neighbours.
The couple set up home together in Pinner Road, Watford. In 1966 they moved to Upper Paddock Road, in Oxhey.
Mrs Dargavel worked as a journalist for the West Herts Post and then the Watford Observer.
She was for a long time the newspaper's court reporter but she would write on a range of subjects, including the history of Watford. At the Post she also wrote a column for women under the pen-name of Prudence.
The newspaper industry at this time was still dominated by men, but Mrs Dargavel helped to break those gender barriers.
On August 22, 1963, her editor at the Watford Post wrote: “As a general reporter she is quick, accurate and industrious, with a keen sense for the story. I am sure that her column for women, ‘Prudence’, is one of the most appealing features in the paper.
“Gwen's quiet personality has won many friends for us. In fact her value to the office has converted me to the full acceptance of the woman reporter.”
One former colleague described Mrs Dargavel as “a lovely lady with a wicked sense of humour”.
Mrs Dargavel was known for her hard work and dedication to her job but equally loved spending time with Ron, who died in 2003, and their two nieces and six nephews on family occasions in Bovingdon.
She also had an interest in politics and enjoyed caring for people less fortunate than herself.
In retirement, Mrs Dargavel was a keen gardener and owned an allotment. She also loved reading.
Speaking at her funeral service held at West Herts Crematorium on Tuesday, Ray Ashley, the minister, said: “[Since Ron's death] she has continued to appreciate all the help and support she has received from her neighbours. The family are particularly grateful that Gwen was surrounded by such caring friends.”
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