F. Roma (Toman) Condon, age 89, died peacefully with the loving support of her family on August 16, 2015 after a long illness. Wife of the late Everett L. Condon, Roma was born August 13, 1926 in Mountain Ash, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales. She was the daughter of the late Lillian (Thomas) Toman and Albert Toman.
After spending her childhood in Mountain Ash, at age 14, Roma moved with her family to Milford Haven, Dyfed, Wales. There Roma contributed to Great Britain’s war effort during World War II through her committed service to the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes. Assigned to work at the Milford Haven docks, Roma met her husband, then a US Navy Storekeeper. After a whirlwind romance, they married five days after learning her husband was to be transferred within the week – and so began their shared life journey and 60 years of marriage together.
Traveling to the United States with over 2,300 British women and children on the former luxury liner Queen Mary, Roma became Greater New Bedford’s first arriving WWII War Bride. Through the years, Roma raised three children while first working as the Head House Mother at Saint Luke’s Hospital Nursing School and then as a cafeteria worker for the New Bedford Public Schools. For several years Roma volunteered for the Girl Scouts of America as a Brownie Troop Leader.
Upon her retirement, Roma volunteered as a foster grandmother at the Carter Brooks Elementary School. Both she and her husband were avid campers and travelers. Soon after his death, Roma moved to Cape Cod where she enjoyed her friends and fun activities at her home at the Northside Village Apartments, Dennis. A member of the “Bingo Chicks”, Roma also lovingly gifted her Welsh traditions to her ever-growing family. Roma enjoyed learning how to use her iPad to connect with family through the social media, as well.
Roma Condon is survived by her son, Ronald E. Condon and his wife Bridget of Gardiner, Maine; two daughters: Jillian T. Teixeira and her husband David of Weymouth and Beth L. von Staats of Hyannis; nine grandchildren: Timothy D. Teixeira of Quincy; Heather A. O’Brien and Andrew T. Teixeira of Weymouth; Matthew E. Teixeira of Abington; Christopher S. Condon of Upton; Jonathan M. Condon of Belfast, Maine; Brian E. Gutt and Joshua E. von Staats of Hyannis; and Kathrine D. Kukova of West Yarmouth. Roma also leaves her beloved great-grandchildren Jonathan, Tyler, Kane, Austin, Devin, Cameron, Gianna, Benjamin, Claire, and Matthew, as well as her great-great grandson Finley.
Roma was predeceased by her brother Ronald A. Toman and her sister Jillian (Toman) Roberts McGrath, both of Wales, United Kingdom.
Roma’s Memorial Service will be held at Seamen’s Bethel, 15 Johnny Cake Hill, New Bedford at 11:00 AM on September 12, 2015 with a luncheon collation thereafter at The Century House, 107 South Main St., Acushnet. Burial at Riverside Cemetery, Fairhaven will be private. In appreciation and recognition of the outstanding and compassionate care Roma received from the nursing and certified nursing assistant staff at Broad Reach Healthcare, Liberty Commons, Chatham, the family suggests memorial donations be made in staff’s honor to Elder Services of Cape Cod and the Islands, 68 Route 134, South Dennis, MA 02660. For online condolence book, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.