My Nan passed away on the 24th of May,
1999 at 82 years of age.
This is my small tribute to her.
Ivy Collins was born in Birkenhead,
Merseyside, England in 1917. She served in the ATF during the War and travelled
around England. She met and married a Naval Chief Petty Officer, Bert
Walker (who served on the HMS Prince of Wales).
Her first job was as an
usherette in a Cinema in Birkenhead but after
the War she became a Chef. She made the best cakes, scones and
pastries that I've ever had.
Later on she opened up her own little wool shop
on Greenwood Lane around the corner
from her house in Liscard, Wallasey. The shop was called Ivy's and sold wool, knitting
patterns, cloth, cotton, etc. Ivy was well known and well loved and her shop was the
center point for many people to stop and catch up. Nothing ever
daunted her. I remember the story of a little boy who ran into her
shop one day screaming. His eye was hanging out on his cheek! My
Nan just popped it right back in and then called for an ambulance. The
boy ended up being fine.
She had four children, Lesley (my
mum), Donald, Jeanette and David. Donald died in his twenties from
cancer. She also lost her husband, Bert to cancer. Through all of this she
remained a strong, graceful woman with a warm wit and lovely sense of humour.
One time whilst out shopping she came across a lady who seemed all flustered
at the side of the road. When my Nan asked if she could help, the lady
asked if she could see her across the road. My Nan did and the lady
thanked her and said that she would understand when she got to her
age. My Nan asked her how old she was "67" she said.
My Nan walked off chuckling as she was 80 at the time!
She
has instilled those qualities into her family and we are all the better for it.
Apart from her offspring
and family in England, Ivy is survived by a sister, Dorothy who resides in
Oregon, USA and a brother, Steve in the Napa Valley, USA.
She
will be greatly missed by all of us.
Below is
the speech I wrote and read out for her funeral.
