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OBITUARY
Just after Ipm on 7th November 2007, Javea lost one of its best-known Britons. Maria Hollingsworth, a physiotherapist who came here with her husband Francis John (Bill) in the early 1970s was one of the pioneers of the HELP organisation when it was purely voluntary. After Bill's death in 1976, Maria became well known as having true healing abilities and rehabilitated many grateful victims of stroke and trauma.
A powerful personality of great contrasts, she loved admiration yet was intensely private. She could show great kindness and go to enormous lengths to help others, but also give full rein to an acerbic tongue. Despite this, she inspired total devotion from many of those closest to her.
The only child of a Spanish speaking clerk for the South American Railway Company and a musician, Maria's parents were cultured, modest but aspirational. Their daughter embraced the role of both potentially successful son and daughter.
Educated at Wimbledon High School, Maria became Surrey Junior Tennis Champion at 15 as well as being a talented dancer, actress and scholar of considerable intellectual acumen. She studied gymnastics and physiotherapy at Bedford Physical Training College and taught PE in Sussex until her marriage in 1935 to Francis John Hollingsworth (Bill); a gentle, reluctant businessman of refined artistic taste.
During World War II whilst Bill served in the RAF (under the Ops Room table, according to him), Maria lived in lower Langley, nurturing horses threatened by slaughter. She was an excellent equestrian, and her charges loved the 'physio' bonus of her friendship. She also interpreted for Italian prisoners who doubtless enjoyed her Spanish version of Italian. When the American Air Force arrived nearby she became their librarian and agony aunt. After the war, Maria continued her physiotherapy work once her daughters started at boarding school, and was well-known in Southwold for her 'Beauty School' which combined exercises with beauty and health advice. She later joined Bill in london where he had his business and established quite a glamorous theatrical and political clientele there.
Maria had great creativity as a short story writer, though she lacked the confidence to attempt publication. Also she wrote exensively on her historical theories and, combining this with her talent for public speaking, over the years she addressed many fascinated audiences in England and later In Spain. In her latter years, she was a valued member of the UFO Club of Javea, the Xabia Book Circle and an honorary member ofthe Costa Blanca Anglo-Spanish Association.
A person of great physical courage and ferocious independence, she continued to live alone in Javea Port until she was 98, when it became clear that the effort had overwhelmed even her. She died in the tender care of Residencia Hermanos Cholbi, mourned greatly by her daughters and her devoted friends.
PHYLLIS MARY HOLLINGSWORTH DE OLIVER
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