Wednesday 2 October 2013

Memories....

My Great Aunt Babs passed away recently. We attended her funeral this week and I have to say I think we were all quite shocked by the poor eulogy.
So I thought I might add a few words here.. not sure if it's the right place but it feels like the right thing to do..

I remember she used to make the best cakes ever. And there was always so much to eat! "go on, have another bit!" The table was always spread with proper cups and saucers, side plates, cakes presented on china and pristine table cloths. Now I know where I get it from :-)
Her kitchen was quirky - dominated by a huge 1930's cupboard then down some wicked stone steps to the sink.The dog used to have his bed alongside the huge fireplace. There was a set of shelves with so many photographs of all the children in the family! The rest of the bungalow was pure vintage - from the wallpaper to the picture rails, the black and white bathroom with high up cistern and pull chain. Everything was beautiful and in it's place but still she made it comfortable and welcoming. I remember she had a hubbly bubbly pipe by the fireplace in the living room which always seemed a bit exotic and exciting! This room was where I best remember Uncle George, her husband, sitting on the stuffed chair and chatting to us.
Babs was always dressed nicely - nothing fancy but practical and smart. I know she worked really hard and was willing to have a go at anything. The garden was big and she did much of it herself for as long as she could. I remember exploring the garden as a child - the heavy soil with huge stones, the trees, the hedges to hide behind, the greenhouse, all of it an adventure!
I used to stay with my Uncle in High Wycombe during the school hols and a visit to Babs was always part of the week. We would get the bus, then walk part of the way. We would visit the school in the village for me to play on the hopscotch whilst the school was closed - it seemed a little strange, a bit like trespassing but huge fun! Just us and the whole playground!

I remember Babs had a lovely sense of humour - was a truly wonderful lady and will be missed a great deal. If I can grow older with only half her grace and tenacity then I will consider myself blessed indeed.


 
Flora Kate Pearce - 'Babs'    8th June 1919 - 14th September 2013


2 comments:

  1. Beautiful lady and beautifully written memories of her, too. Thank you for sharing her with us.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank you so much Kristen - you don't know how much that means to me x

    ReplyDelete