Angela Mary Needham, of Free Union, Va., who has died age 88, was a devoted wife and mother.

Born in Lincolnshire, England to James Alwynne Stanton and Eileen Edith Stanton, she grew up in rural surroundings and attended school in the market town of Grantham.

She moved to London to serve an apprenticeship at Griffin & Spaulding before securing a job at Debenham & Freebody. In 1956, she took up a new position at Harvey Nichols, Knightsbridge, where her clients included the grandees of society.

Angela married John Alistair Needham in 1958 and joined him at sea that year as an officer’s wife and they were fortunate to travel the world. They subsequently had two sons, Andrew and Richard and settled in Kent, England.

Life changed when John’s career took them to Copenhagen, Denmark in 1973, where she made numerous life-long friends of all nationalities. In 1982, there was a move to the United States. She and John decided to settle in Charlottesville, following periods in Connecticut, London and New Jersey.

Angela’s passions were cooking and gardening. She also developed a keen interest in the plentiful wildlife that surrounded her home in Free Union. She was a devoted parishioner at Christ Church Glendower in Scottsville.

Angela is survived by her two sons, Andrew and Richard and granddaughter, Rachel.

Angela Needham, born November 11 1935, died July 26 2024.

Condolences may be shared on the tribute wall.

For more on services and to share your condolences, visit Hill and Wood Funeral Service.