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Obituary
Mrs
Erna Conn
THE
NORTHERN Toy Poodle Club was informed of the death, earlier
this month, of Mrs Erna Conn of Southport.
Mrs Conn was an important figure in the poodle ring in the 1950s
and 60s, showing miniatures and toys under the world famous
Monmartre affix. Indeed, many of today’s stock carry Monmartre
bloodlines in their pedigrees, albeit in the distant past. After
ski-ing to freedom over the Alps whilst pregnant, fleeing from
the Nazis, Mrs Conn and her husband Sandy settled for a while
in Scotland, being great friends of Jim and Barbara Currie.
Her interest in Poodles grew and many top winning miniatures
and later toys were to gain their championship titles, over
a hundred worldwide.
In the 1960s she became one of the founders of the Northern
Toy Poodle Club and was to take over as chairman. In more recent
years, her interest lay in other directions but she remained
as Club President, keeping in contact and aware of events. She
was quite a private person but should be remembered for her
invaluable contribution to the breed in the UK.
Diane Smith, Hon Sec, NTPC
With
the death of Erna Conn on 3rd March at the great age of 89 years
has come the end of an era of one of the clever breeders of the
past. A contemporary of other great ladies such as the effervescent
Mrs Phylis Austin Smith (Braval) and Mrs Alida Monroe (Firebrave).
It was my particular good fortune to have worked at various times
in the late 60s and early 70s for all these great breeders.
Erna Conn was born in Lemberg which at one time was part of Poland
then Austria. She spent her early childhood in Vienna where she
became a leading athlete, her sports that she excelled in were
long jump and discuss throwing.
She was an outstanding gymnast and was a teacher of gymnastics
and skiing in her younger days. She married Sandor (Sandy) who
was from Budapest in Hungary in 1937 and they were married for
47 years; he passed away in 1984 aged 79. They had two children,
Peter who lives in Montreal, Canada with his family and Carla
her daughter who still lives at Ainsdale, Southport.
Erna was firstly interested in Alsatians (GSD) and I believe in
1945 started breeding and formed the world famous Montmarte Kennels.
The first of Mrs Conn's CC winners was Ch Firebrave Marie followed
by Ch Braval Beta who where to form her foundation and from these
two followed 100 miniature and toy champions. Also playing a great
part in this plan was the clever choice of stud dog Faskatin Talpatina
won two CCs before he died from heart worm.
the first home bred bitch title winner Ch Montmatre Miranda followed
by Champions Little Mo, Marksman, Miss Muffet, Mona Lisa, Marco
Polo, Maria Mine, Mastersinger, Bartat By Jing, Marvellous, Madcap,
Sweet Martine, Minoloche, Michelle Andre, Carmen Miranda, Bertital
Bell Of the Ball, Beritas Miss Dior, Mint Master, Master Spy,
Super Lad, Marmion and many more.
Her stock was to form the foundation of many other top winning
poodle kennels. Will we ever see her like again; personally I
don't think so.
I last saw Erna at the Northern Toy Poodle Club Ch Show 2002 still
looking so upright and her hair perfect. She was so lucid and
animated when we discussed the little dogs. I was particularly
pleased that she was able to attend this show and she saw mine
and Ann Ingram's Ch & Ir. Ch Tirkane Fire Flicker receive
the BIS award about which she was most complimentary.
Roger Bayliss
Annette Dalley
Annette Dalley died on Saturday 23rd March after a long and
painful illness. For twenty years she was an enthusiastic, dedicated
and successful exhibitor of Finnish Spitz taking both success
and occasional failure with characteristic charm and grace.
She actively supported the breed through her work as cup steward
for the Finnish Spitz Club ('absolutely the worst job I have
ever done') and the raffles and tombolas that always seemed
to make more money than the previous year. Her tremendous warmth
and enjoyment of life ensured that she was genuinely liked by
all who met her and those who knew her well loved her for her
natural openness and cheerful optimism. She will be greatly
missed by all who knew her.
Her funeral will take place at Burghclere parish church at 2.00pm
(today) Friday 28th March
David Cavill
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