Her extended family

10 of her siblings grew to adulthood whilst the older 2 died in infancy (quite common in those days). Growing up in a family of 4 boys and 7 girls was just one long soap opera.


The family was poor but my mother had lots of good memories of growing up with her brothers and sisters.

Her father was a gentleman of the old school which is to say he was very much tradition-bound. Her mother never went to school but if you listened to the stories she told, you would have learnt lots of life’s lessons. Po-po was a very good story teller and I know she brought up her children well.

Just look at my mother! Soft, gentle and always caring. Excellent cook. Efficient and thrifty housewife. Wonderful mother.