My mother was a middle child, she had four sisters and one brother.  Gwen, Phyllis, Mary and Ruth.  Her brother's name was Ernie.

She was a young teenager when the war broke out and had told me many stories, she told me one time a fighter plane flew over them and her mother jumped on her as they fell to the ground to cover her from the bullets, thank heavens God was there that day and no one was killed.  She told me they used to crouch in this little area under the staircase as Bournemouth is the bottom part of England and was bombed regularly.  Her brother was in the navy, as they got older her sister worked underground helping the military.  Mom worked as in a restaurant, that is where she met my father.

She used to let us get into bed with her when we were little and tell us this story about Ricky Ticky Mongoose, Donna and I loved that story.

My father loved buying my mother the latest styles, she was a beauty.

She was like beauty and the beast, there was a beast to her when she was angry and did not get her own way.  Her family all stayed in England except Phyllis who came to New Brunswick and my mom, she eventually settled with all of us and my dad in England after he retired from the military.

My mother had lots of girlfriends in Collingwood, they all picked apples at Smarts, Fran Stewart, Bessie Sanderson, Eileen Bourgous, Merle Sullvester.  Just to name a few.  They went to bingo for their night out.

My mother was proud of us, she loved her son Ronald and he certainly became the fix up son when dad died.  My father died at 56 years of age.  Beverley was the most dedicated daughter, she would win a medal for being there for mom 24/7.  She could hardly wait to see Donna come up for visits.

My mother loved her first grandchild Brandie, she helped me raise her so indeed they had a close bound.  Kirsty and Matthew were truly loved also by mom and she was so proud of their accomplishments.  Clayton was the last grandchild and living in Collingwood I think he tried to help her in any way.

I think the highlight was when Calle, her first great grand child arrived in Collingwood for the first time and there was a shower for Brandie, mom actually hogged Calle and did not want to share her.  She was also blessed with two great grandsons Samuel and Graydon.

My mother's brain was so sharp, she was such an intellegent woman, she wanted to keep up with what was going on in the world and she did.  Mom had a fear of storms, I think it was due to the bombing in the war.  She hated thunder and lightning.  She was the best cook and baked great pies, cakes etc.  She loved to make Donna her cherry loaf and Roand his brownies.  My mother took pride in baking her Christmas cakes and meat pies.

My mom had a hard life but she was comitted to all of us and would help as much as possible.

She will truly be missed!

Her daughter Lenie