Our Mum was born on the 30th July 1926 in Wisbech. She soon went on to become the Carnival Queen of Wisbech. She married my Dad on the 24th January 1949 and they recently celebrated 62 years of marriage. During that time 4 gorgeous children were born within 5 years, Kay, Chris, Me and Jeannette. Now there are 3 grandchildren Sharron, Melanie and Joanne and 2 great grandchildren Pollyanna and Livia. Mum had a lot on her plate looking after us 4 with only about a year between each one of us particularly as Dad decided to smash up his motor bike and leg and was in hospital for 18 months. But Mum being the strong person she was took it in her stride and got on with it. Mum was a strong independent person with many interests. She was a Mason and also a member of the WI. Her hero, apart from Dad of course, was Glenn Miller. She loved his music particularly Moonlight Serenade, In the Mood and A String of Pearls. She loved the Archers, Coronation St and Eastenders. She actually used to watch all the soaps and listen to the radio at the same time, not sure how she managed that, but she did. She also loved the sea and although not a great swimmer she loved nothing more than getting up at the crack of dawn to go down to the beach at Heacham in Norfolk for a dip in the sea. Dad would be with her waiting on the beach with a towel for when she came out. Heacham was our second home and we spent all our young days there on holiday and we had so many happy years. She also loved shopping or rather browsing and it was a shame we couldn’t take her to the shops in her final years. Mum also liked visiting her family and friends in America and actually went 18 times. I went with her and Dad on a couple of occasions and have some great memories of those days. On one of their visits Mum and Dad went to the USA and on to Hawaii for a few days. They were so relaxed there that time didn't seem to matter my Mum sitting in her room in the all together, writing letters, when she asked Dad what day it was. It was the day they should be at the airport to fly home, they just made it. Mum loved her food and particularly chocolate and I think ladies we can all associate with that, can't we? In fact she was able to enjoy some Easter Egg on Mother's day, I am so pleased she did. We had a lovely day with her on Mother's Day she was very much her old self laughing and joking. We took her to the Three kings pub where she soon downed a large sherry. Mum was also a great cook and loved doing the family meals which on celebratory occasions could be for up to 14. There would always be a choice of at least 3 deserts and her apple pies were legendary. Mum always wanted to look her best and loved getting dressed up, make up on and hair done. She was a great hairdresser for over 40 years and used to do some of the locals here in Fornham. However my Uncle was not so impressed when he insisted on having his hair cut and Mum did not have the right scissors to use. I think they may have been dress making scissors that she chopped his hair off with. He didn't take his cap off for a month after that. Mum and Dad moved to Fornham in 1972 leaving the kids behind in Winchester and Southampton. They have made many friends in that time and enjoyed some good barbeques with you all. We thank the neighbours for all their help not just now but over the past years. Cornwallis Court where Mum spent her last months looked after her so well and she was very settled and comfortable there. We would like to thank Ann for all her help and support. However, first and foremost, she was our MUM and we are all going to miss her very much, none more so than Dad, but we feel she had a good and happy life and achieved lots. Thank you for being our MUM. Written and read by Helen Brown with the support of Kay, Chris and Jeannette 4th May 2011