We all have different memories of Mum but so many of them are the same.

Early life in Harpenden was often quite hectic and occasionally Mum would get to shout ‘Just fight quietly’, over the din. We would have to be careful going to her with injuries. She was squeamish about the sight of blood and so she would be screaming ‘Don’t show me’ whilst Gran was opining that ‘Worse things happen at sea’.

One of all our memories was Mum’s cooking and especially that she would go for strange and unusual dishes for the time that have now passed into normal. Things like sweet and sour pork and other Chinese dishes, and many Italian delicacies. I think that she was aided in this by an Italian neighbour who introduced her to many things. Needless to say every excellent meal was served with apologies that this and that had gone wrong.


Mum was an excellent tailor and I think that this had been passed down from her mother and grandparents. She would make many of our clothes though I am now ashamed that I rejected her creations as I wanted to be boring like my friends. I think that Alison and Claire fared rather better. She would also make her own clothes but often pressure of time would result in her going out to an occasion in a new dress with the hem pinned up. She also passed some of her skills on and while I can replace a button Alison once made a suit for a boyfriend.  Clothes shopping was also interesting due to this as she would loudly explain that things were shoddily made.
Mum was very artistic and creative coming out of her love for a wide variety of art from renaissance to pre-Raphaelites and Impressionists such as Monet and particularly liked Klimt. She had no formal training but studied art history through WEA and other outlets. Music was another love, and not just for finding a husband. She enjoyed concerts and my cousin Pat remembers Mum taking her to London for one, as well as epic shopping trips. She also was keen on drawing and painting herself but I think was hampered by a lack of confidence so we rarely saw any examples.
Mum and Dad were avid puzzlers which may have kept her mind sharp. It was often a battle to get to the crossword in the paper until Dad saw that the way to a quiet life was to do a jigsaw. She also imbued in us the value of making a list.


Mum loved it when we brought our friends around as we grew up and when Alison was living at home as a student found that many of her uni friends were going round to Mum for tea and toast. She also organised parties for us and relatives such as a 21st party for cousin Bryan. I recall my 18th, postponed from March to after A levels,  at which Mum and Dad came home early because the other party they had gone to was too boring. One thing that was a constant was that you were not allowed to leave until you had consumed a hearty meal.
Liverpool FC was a constant interest and though she never went to a game, she was convinced that they played better on TV when they were playing towards the window.
She also had a lovely time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Particularly Ella and Lydia enjoyed spending time with Mum and Dad whilst their Mum was in hospital and she showed them so much and was always encouraging. For Esme Mum introduced her to 20’s fashion and Art Nouveau as well as bargain shopping.
Later she would enjoy going to Italy France and Greece and to see her brother Gordon in Vienna. When we were children money was tight and so holidays were often a house swap with other relations such as Aunt Olive in Hereford. Also we went to stay at farmhouses especially in North Wales. On one such we all walked up Snowdon. I think after that Mum learned to always have the wrong shoes for such expeditions so she could stay in the car and worry.
Worrying was a constant in Mum’s life and so there was always a balance between warning her about upcoming events and turning up unannounced. She continued to worry about us, when we were more worried about her.
The other side was that Mum was always encouraging of what we wanted to do, perhaps she should have been more encouraging of what we were reluctant to do. Sometimes our choices surprised her such as Neil phoning up at the age of 20 to announce a sudden marriage but she adapted. She would always reassure us that we could do things. She was proud of our achievements, especially at graduations and weddings.


Mum we loved you, we will continue to love you, and will always remember you.