After several more weeks she was taken by ambulance to her home. Even then, her right side was paralysed, she was unable to speak and her twisted mouth dribbled constantly. Yet by sheer force of will, she taught herself to speak and walk again, and other basic skills. Her recovery could never be complete, as she could only walk with a limp and would never be able to play her beloved ‘cello again.

Perhaps not surprisingly, she missed the British Championship at Eastbourne, but was well enough to play in the Challengers “A” at Paignton in September and incredibly just missed out on a prize, scoring 4/7 points. Thereafter, in 1974 she recommenced her annual participation in the British Ladies Championship, right up to the mid-1980s, though she generallystruggled to reach a 50% score, age and infirmity taking their toll.

She was elected President of both the Devon Association and the West of England Chess Union (1965-66). The Bruces’ joint contribution to chess at all levels was widely recognised and they were awarded the B.C.F.’s President’s Award in only its second year, 1984.

Their daughter, now Rona Ross-Bryant, had given them three grandchildren, Emma, Kate and Toby.

Rowena and husband Ron continued to live a busy round of chess events; club nights, matches, congresses, championships, etc. and as if this were not enough, they were expert and regular bridge players, though on a strictly non-competitive basis. In later life, not unnaturally, she was generally happy to settle for quiet draw rather than have to endure a long tense struggle.