R.I.P., Teresa Derrington

One of the all-time most popular Dickensblog posts was my 2013 interview with Teresa Derrington Cozens-Hardy, who appeared as Fred's maid in the 1951 adaptation of A Christmas Carol. Though her performance was very brief, generations of viewers have fallen in love with her gentle air and the kind smile with which she encouraged a nervous Scrooge. Many of you commented to tell me how much that performance means to you and how much you enjoyed reading her thoughts about it.

I received a tip the other day from reader Velicia, who saw the news on Facebook, that Teresa had passed away last winter. Family members confirmed that Teresa did indeed pass away on January 28, 2021, at age 89, after having a stroke in her sleep. According to her son Matthew, "she was reasonably active up until the end" and died peacefully. She was buried in Blakeney, Norfolk, after a service at St. Peter's Catholic Church there, attended by her five children and her surviving sibling Bernadette. 

I'll always be grateful that I had the chance to speak with Teresa, who was as kind and gracious in person as her character was onscreen, and to share a bit of her story with you all. My prayers and thoughts are with her family and loved ones. Special thanks to her relative Paul Tollet, who first told us who she was, and her sons Matthew and Tom Hepenstal, who helped arrange the interview. 

One more note: From the Facebook comment by her oldest grandchild, Simon Thomas, that first made us aware of Teresa's passing, I discovered that I had originally spelled her first name wrong (with an "h"). Paul and Matthew both confirmed the correct spelling when I asked them about it last week. I'm not sure how this happened, as I'm usually very careful to spell names right (having had my own spelled wrong many times!), but somehow it did happen. I apologize for my mistake and will go back and correct the spelling on all previous posts about Teresa. I'll see what I can do about correcting it on Wikipedia and IMDb as well.

(Image courtesy VCI Entertainment)

Comments

[Gina]

Teresa's son Tom Hepenstal added these interesting details about his mother in an e-mail:

"She was born in London in 1931 and gained a highly prized scholarship to study drama at RADA (the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art) in 1949. As a student she took part in a number of stage productions, and, of course, played a minor but memorable part in Scrooge (she also had another small film part, which I think you know about, in Robin Hood starring Richard Todd).

"She gave up her acting career to raise a family of five children (in Birmingham) and later gained a bachelors in Art History at London University. She taught art in a girls' highschool in Birmingham, and later gave history of art lectures for adult education groups in Birmingham. She continued with this teaching after she retired to Norfolk with my father in 1987. For twenty years she lectured to mature student groups, including with the University of East Anglia, Norwich. She led many field trips to parts of England (i.e. London) and Europe to visit art galleries and lectured about the paintings. She introduced many people to the joys of fine art, and a number of her students have described to me their gratitude for her having done this.

"Her love of paintings and fine art continued throughout her life, but she was always very modest and unassuming about her theatrical accomplishments which she seldom talked about. She was, however, critical of poor dramatic technique whenever she watched drama or films on the stage or the screen.

"My sisters, brother and I are very saddened by her passing and she is greatly missed. We are grateful that she had a long and interesting life and achieved much in her time. She was slightly puzzled by the interest shown in her film appearance, but pleased that people had enjoyed her work."

[Velicia]

Thank you, Gina.

[Carolyn D.]

Condolences to the family on the passing of Teresa. I feel that all of us who loved her from our first viewing of her unforgettable performance are feeling quite bereft. The world was a better place for her sojourn here. Can you believe that the film was released SEVENTY years ago? And here we are, never met Teresa, never saw any other moment of her acting work, never even knew her name until a few years ago. But those few long-ago moments as Fred's maid had us all fall just a little bit in love with the gentle lady under the big cap. Rest in peace, dear Teresa. A life well lived. You will be remembered with affection by the many 'fans' you charmed so effortlessly and indelibly. Sweet dreams.

[Sue]

Its not Christmas till Ive seen this film. Ive always been intrigued by the lovely girl playing the maid, and thought I had seen her in other films. It seems I am wrong but it was lovely to find out about her.I agree its her kind encouraging smile that makes her so memorable. I hope this film remains part of Christmas for years to come

[Jeffrey Bast]

My condolences to the family for the passing of Teresa. Every time I watch the 1951 version of -A Christmas Carol - I can't wait to see Teresas part in the film. She looked so lovely and kind even if it was for just a few seconds. I will always hold that part of the film in my heart as the most pleasing part of the film. All of us are at a true loss and have a deep sorrow in our hearts.
Rest In Peace.

[Joe]

Wow! So happy for a chance to share my feelings about Teresa! From age 3, I watched both versions of a Christmas Carol and noticed her instantly even as a babe! It was love at first sight and how could it not be? Something very special in that wonderful face, and I formed a silent infatuation with her life long, renewed each year only on Christmas eve, which I watch religiously each year on that one evening! I hoped to write her and tell her and ask for an autograph...just to make more real and connect with this princess from another world. I will be watching again in 2 more days this Christmas eve, but now with a lonelier heart; But just imagine, soon we will all meet along with Sims and all we loved and lost! 'Til then, my princess!
Joe

[Jerry]

Her version of A Christmas Carol has always been a staple in my family and she has always made everyone in my family Smiles so much. I know nothing about her but she must have had a heart of gold.

[W.E. Thompson]

I noticed her from the first time viewing the movie. It is my favorite version . She showed so much expression in just so few seconds. Showing ol Scrooge encouragement to enter the party. It just jumped out to me. So sorry to hear she has passed.

[Bill Lewis]

Tom Bedell sent me! :-)

http://theaposition.com/tombedell/golf/lifestyle/9265/12-beers-of-christmas-2022-7-samuel-adams-old-fezziwig/comment-page-1#comment-60276

I always favored the Alastair Sim adaptation of A Christmas Carol, thanks in part to the small but powerful role played by Teresa. So glad to finally learn more about her.

[Fred Goodwin]

According to a photo posted at Find-a-Grave, Derrington was born on April 10, 1931:

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/231604998/teresa-cozens-hardy

[Gina]

Fred, thanks for sharing that link!

[Victor Copeland]

It’s Christmas Eve and I just completed my annual viewing of Alastair Sim’s masterful Scrooge. Like clockwork, I break down when Teresa gives that nod of encouragement to the hesitant Scrooge..1 I’d read read your 2013 interview before, and thought I’d check on her. So sorry to hear of her passing.

[Mark Hodgson]

It's nice to know I'm not the only who's heart has been captured by the brief but memorable appearance of Teresa as Fred's maid in Scrooge.
Her sweet smile will live with me forever, as I never tire of watching this classic film every Christmas.
Thank you Teresa.

[Daniel Bradley]

This version of A Christmas Carol is by far the best yet I always wondered who the maid was. Allstate Sim might have been the star, yet Teresa’s face and that smile was the most memorable scene. Thank you for providing the answer. I’m so glad to read about her life. Thank you!

[William Ryan]

Yes she was just wounderful in that part as was the lady playing Freds wife both with qualities of acting snd a type of beauty in looks and emotion that is do nonchalant and timeless

[Michael Hearn]

I find it quite incredible that so many people have been affected by Teresa's short but memorable appearance in that 1951 film. I have, since first viewing her cameo, some 50 years ago been captivated by her. I often wonder what would have happened had she chosen to continue with her acting career. I would have loved to have met her but like many others did not even know her name until relatively recently, thank goodness for the internet. RIP Teresa, I will visit your resting place in Blakeney to pay my respects.