The end of an ERA
My first introduction to the family was on a Sunday afternoon in early December. I was sitting at the table pen in hand, with notepaper, cards, envelopes and stamps all at the ready. I heard the clink of ice in a glass and before I knew it Jack was placing a G&T in front of me. “How many cards will you need”? I inquired as I thanked him for the drink. The cards were spread neatly showing the various images associated with Christmas.
Selecting a card he said “You could send this one to Aunt Nell & Alice.”
“Hold it right there!” I said. “Do they know who I am?”
“I suppose I had better tell them that I got married” he said lifting a spare pen and the notepaper.
“Again!” I said, adding “And the rest of it.” As I touched the gentle curve of my tummy.
Aunt Nell was Jack’s aunt. She was like a surrogate mother to him, looking after him for many months from birth, when her sister was very ill. Aunt Nell had at that time a three year old daughter called Alice. Alice bonded well with her new cousin. She was joined a few years later by a new sister, The three of them were always found together. If Jack was not at home, he was to be found in Aunt Nell’s house playing with his cousins.
Alice was charged with keeping an eye on her cousin walking to and from school and again some years later when he began to attend dances. It was Aunt Nell who quizzed Alice about the young ladies that Jack danced with. Their paths branched when Jack went away to war in 1940. Alice married and had a family, continuing to live in the village where she was born in Co Durham, England.
By the time I learned about them Aunt Nell and Alice were both widowed and living in the same house. Having allowed time for the Christmas post to be delivered and the news it contained to sink in, I suggested one evening that we phone and speak to them. From then on we kept in regular touch. They eagerly awaited the news of the safe arrival of our precious bundle. They were kept up to date of our progress and eventually we made a visit to stay with them when Elly was just over a year old.
Aunt Nell Elly & GM with Alice on the right
Regular visits followed and we were always made to feel very much at home. Aunt Nell predeceased Jack by a year, and her other daughter died eight years ago. Last night word reached us that Alice had died. Although frail Alice attended a party yesterday afternoon and enjoyed the singing and the afternoon tea. While being prepared for bed she calmly and quietly died.
Alice was like a grandmother to Elly and the last link to her Dads family.
Alice R.I.P.
Lily said,
January 3, 2010 at 9:13 am
The ending of an era is always sad. Nice tribute to Alice.
MelRoXx said,
January 3, 2010 at 11:42 am
Oh so sorry about it. May her soul rest in peace…
Rummuser said,
January 3, 2010 at 11:52 am
My condolences.
The photograph of you and Elly is amazing! It has been a long time since I saw a colour photograph of that kind.
Elly Parker said,
January 3, 2010 at 12:40 pm
A very fitting tribute, sitting here with tears in my eyes, thanks mum.
Marian said,
January 3, 2010 at 1:58 pm
I’m so sorry to hear that. Beautiful piece .
steph said,
January 3, 2010 at 3:07 pm
Sad news.
I like to think that perhaps Aunt Nell, Jack and his cousins are all reunited once more.
Bigs hugs to you and Elly.
Grannymar said,
January 3, 2010 at 3:39 pm
Thank you everyone for your kind words. Elly and I appreciate them.
Debbie said,
January 3, 2010 at 3:44 pm
So sorry to hear your news. Best wishes to you and Elly.
Ian said,
January 3, 2010 at 3:47 pm
No matter how long we have people, we still don’t want to lose them. I buried my grandmother three years ago - I was 46 and she was 94 - and still thought it would have been nice to have had her company for a few more years,
Alice and Nell are now sat discussing their many memories.
Nick said,
January 3, 2010 at 4:38 pm
I like the way Aunt Nell quizzed Alice about Jack’s young ladies. And did she pass on her opinions to Jack?
Geri Atric said,
January 3, 2010 at 5:41 pm
My condolences and very best wishes to you and Elly. May it be a comfort to Elly that her Alice went so peacefully.
Grannymar said,
January 3, 2010 at 7:05 pm
Debbie - Thank You.
Ian - You were very fortunate to have a grandparent until you were 46.
Nick - Aunt Nell, soon let Jack know whether she liked the young ladies or not!
Geri - It was a blessing indeed.
Brighid said,
January 3, 2010 at 7:19 pm
a life well lived and a fitting tribute. Well Done!
paddyanglican said,
January 3, 2010 at 7:20 pm
Beautifully told - there is a completeness about their story - but I am sure their love lives on in you and Elly
My condolences.
Stephen
Grannymar said,
January 3, 2010 at 9:22 pm
Brighid - They were women of their time.
Stephen - Elly & I were very much part of their family.
Baino said,
January 3, 2010 at 9:24 pm
Very sad and yet she sounds like she lived well and died peacefully. That’s all we can hope for. Sincerest condolences GrannyMar and Elly, always sad too when you lose the last connection to someone close.
Magpie11 said,
January 3, 2010 at 11:35 pm
Love and sympathy to you both.
wisewebwoman said,
January 4, 2010 at 1:18 am
My deepest sympathy to you and Ellie, GM, the end of an era indeed.
Is it my imagination but do adult pics of Ellie look a lot like Alice?
check it out!
XO
WWW
Grannymar said,
January 4, 2010 at 2:57 pm
Baino - Thank you.
Magpie - Appreciated.
WWW - I never thought of the likeness of Elly to Alice until I looking for that photo. Elly is ‘the spit’ (as we say in Ireland) of her dad and paternal grandmother, so I suppose it is natural for others to see the family likeness.
Maria said,
January 5, 2010 at 2:33 pm
Alice will live forever in your memories and in your writings. This post is proof of that. My deepest sympathies to you and Elly.
Grannymar said,
January 5, 2010 at 2:53 pm
Thank you Maria.
Conrad said,
January 6, 2010 at 7:24 pm
I look through the lens of your descriptions of Jack and know these must have been loving, caring people.
God rest your soul, Alice. Your era ends, but your legacy of love flourishes.
Grannymar said,
January 6, 2010 at 7:34 pm
Conrad - Jack was indeed fortunate to have loving parents and his surrogate family too.