Grandmothers; indulge me please

So sorry to hear of your sad loss Fanny

My paternal GM was a real black country girl! Smoked like a chimney, yet used to tell me off for not wearing a vest, as I would 'catch my death of cold'! Mum and Dad lived with them until I was a toddler, when Mum insisted they buy their own place as she interfered too much. She used to visit us every Friday afternoon for tea, bringing my brother and I sweets. When at the age of 14 I decided I needed to lose weight (I was quite overweight by then). I asked her if she could bring me fruit. She didn't really like that as she didn't see fruit as a treat! "Our Jan", she said, " Yow bay gorra enough fat on yow to grace a pon"! She was born in 1902 and died in 1975 a month before my first baby was born. I was quite sad she didn't get to see him. She would have been thrilled to be a Great Nan. Her husband, my Granddad, was the kindest man you could meet. His Dad was a coffin maker, and Nan said when she first went to visit his house, the front door opened and there was a line of coffins propped up in the Hall! He died on my DS's first birthday, in 1976 so a bittersweet day

He was born in 1894 and didn't have much education, but he taught himself French by reading French newspapers. He took on the job of 'Lollipop Man' when he retired, and when he finally left that job, he was inundated with cards and gifts from the children.

My maternal grandmother, was born in 1911 and lived to be 95. She had Mum aged 19 out of wedlock! Shock horror! The father denied it, so I never knew him. Nan married when Mum was 3, so Mum was brought up by her maternal grandparents. Nan and her husband lived with his parents, and they didn't allow Nan to have my Mum live with them! Her husband died when I was 10, and she looked after both In laws until they died. It was then she found some freedom. She was such a kind lady, always giving money and presents to grandchildren.

Unfortunately didn’t really know my grandmother’s one died when I was around 5 the other one when 17 and only saw her rarely always had feelings we were not the favourite grandkids ?

Condolences Fanny but you were lucky to have her for so long.
I have few recollections of my maternal GP’s I don’t think they were fussed with me even though I was the only GC from their six children.
They both died before I was six.
My parental GM wasn’t bothered about me much either.
I was the only GC from the only boy in the family and was a disappointment as there was no one else to carry the family surname.
My father died when I was eleven and although my mother was friendly with her in-laws I wasn’t treated the same as her D’s children and the D who gave her a home had two children who she practically brought up ,so they remained the favourites until she died aged 95.
My own mother was not a loving GP to my children ,she wanted to dominate them as she had me but they weren’t obliging so she was quite cold to them.
I am course are the best GP in the world, what else would you expect?
☺️

Jan my Nan was born in Wednesbury and lived most of her adult life in Quarry Bank - in the house that my Grandad was born in!
She taught at Mount Pleasant and went to the Methodist church next door to the school.

So sorry you have lost your Nan Fanny. Always very sad when they go.

My Grandma was quite glamorous. Even in her 80s she would be dressed up with full make-up every day. She always looked lovely to me. Sadly I didn't take after her and was out this morning in jeggings and warm jumper and no make-up.

So sorry for your loss FannyCornforth. I hope in time you can relive the memories with her, and remember a life well lived.

I didn't really know my maternal grandma, she died when I was 2, so only know about her through family stories and a few photos.

My paternal grandma, my Granny, was a big part of my life, and I loved her to bits. When I started reading this thread, I sat back, and the memories of Granny came flooding back. Some things I haven't thought of for years!

She was a hardworking Yorkshire woman, always on the go, but always had time to show me how to do things. She taught me "tatting", a craft done with one hook, a bit like crochet, and used to make fine lacey edgings for handkies and pillowslips. She also taught me how to darn socks!

Although they lived in a normal semi, she kept bantams at the bottom of the back garden. It was a thrill to be allowed to gather fresh eggs in the special wicker egg basket. Grandad grew vegetables, Granny was a "pickler", she could pickle anything, and had an amazing pantry of pickles and relishes.

She also loved and grew flowers, and to this day I grow sweet williams and London Pride in her memory.

Granny worked at ICI,walking to work in her clogs, to earn enough to send my dad and his sister to the grammar school.
She was very proud of them. One of my favourite photos is of her with my dad in uniform, when he joined the RAF. It sits on my dressing table , where I can see her every day. Actually it's like looking in a mirror, because I am very much like her!

Granny was kind and generous. She hated thunderstorms, and used to hide under the kitchen table with the dog until it was over!

Thank you FannyCornforth for letting me relive the memories! xxx

My nan lived 6 doors away from us, and I spent a lot of time with her, growing up.
Nobody knew her real age, as she added or took years off depending on the circumstances.
She was a publican, and a work colleague told me they could remember her banging 2 teddy boys' heads together and throwing them out into the street for fighting..
She had all kinds of sayings, and could be hilarious without meaning to be.
Her language was quite colourful, and she kept some vicious "guard dogs" over the years (who bit every and anyone)

She had quite a colourful past (much to the disgust of my other nan) and married a man 19 years younger than her; so younger than her older children.

Sending condolences and virtual hugs to you Fanny Cornforth. If I think about my grandparents my heart still aches that they are no longer here.
My grandma on my mums side is the Gran I model myself on with my grandchild. Loving, fun, always baking and I was very close to her until I was 4 as Dad was away on National service. I found out what live was from her. She told me when with my parents we moved to our own house after we’d gone her and grandad looked at each other and burst into tears. That thought alone brings me to tears and can imagine how it would feel if I was in the same situation with my grandson ?.
Don’t remember an awful lot about dads mum although I do resemble her side of the family more. I did used to have sleepovers there and I do remember having lovely Heinz tomato soup there - something we didn’t have at home.
Take care Fanny

What love was not live ... oops

Fanny my paternal Nan was born in Darlaston, where all that side of the family came from.

I’m very sorry, FannyC. It’s a part of us that goes when the older generation goes.

My paternal GM died in 1918 so obvs I never knew her. My maternal GM died when I was 4yo so I only have the briefest of memories of her.

I'm so sorry for your loss but what a joy to have had her in your life for so long.

My Nana lived in London all her life and is my hero. She was the glue that kept her family together. She had 10 siblings and my grandad had 11 and we had some high old parties I can tell you.

My Mum would put us on the Portsmouth to Waterloo train every summer holidays - I was about 10 and my sister 5. She would choose a carriage full of sailors, tell them my Dad was in the Navy , hand out sandwiches to all and tell them to give us to our Nana when we arrived at Waterloo !!

My Nana would collect us and we'd have a riotous 2 weeks. She'd tell us stories of her childhood and we'd go down to Dalston market for treats.

When my daughters were small the youngest wanted to be head of the Bank of England so she could have her name on banknotes and my Nana was in awe of that as she had worked after the war in the Bank scrubbing the vast marble floors on her hands and knees with the other charladies.

She would tell my daughter that she had thought THAT was a good job for a woman so to head up the bank would be amazing.

She was kind, had the strength of 10 and nothing phased her, yet she was - as my grandad would often say ' 4ft and fag packet' tall.

I miss her every day.

Sorry to hear about your Nan FannyC. It’s nice to hear she had a good life and was with you so long.
My paternal Grandmother kept her distance. I only met her once when she came to Devon to see us when we were on holiday rather than invite us to her house.
My maternal Grandma was a very busy lady, lots of committees, lots of baking and good at knitting, sewing and good at housework without being houseproud.
We lived with my GPs for a lot of my childhood so I learned lots from her.
My 2 fondest memories were,
1. at 2pm every day she would go to the bathroom and have a wash and brush-up so she was ready for when my Granddad arrived home.
2. At about 4pm we would use long forks to make toast and she would read stories while we ate.
She taught us to hunt for blackberries and other fruit in the hedges behind her house and to pick raspberries and gooseberries from the garden, which she turned into jam.
My Grandma was competitive, not just with baking and sewing for TG competitions but when playing cards or draughts with us.
I’m amazed how much your post has made me think about her today. Thanks.

FannyCornforth

Thank you so much everyone for these stories, thank you for taking so much time. I haven't read them all properly yet.
Thank you too for your kind words.
I'm moping in bed with a cup of tea.
I keep thinking that I should give her a ring...

I apologise for not sending my sympathies to you on my post. You must have some happy memories of her which will be a great comfort to you at this sad time. Take care.

No need to apologise Sarnia, thank you for your kind words.
Some amazing stories here; women really were made of such strong stuff in those days.
Sad for those like Ellan who have little or no memory of their Grandparents.
Thank you for all of your replies.
I'm hoping to go to a garden centre and spend, spend, spend - Nan would have approved ?️??

I'm so sorry for your loss
My maternal grandmother died when my mum was just a little girl
My paternal grandmother died when I was about 5 years old, my only memory of her is a very little lady in a very big bed

I only knew one Nan. The other was trapped behind the iron curtain and grandfathers both died years before.
My English nan lived in the east end of London was lovely but we didn’t have the same relationship that I have with my two GC. No trips out or gifts but then it wasn’t expected in those days. She died at 91 and I think of her often.
I am Sorry for your loss Fanny but how lovely you enjoyed such a close relationship.

I only had one and she been left to bring up 7 children alone and had no time for me . I cannot remember a kind word from her and I was a quiet little soul . She died whe I was 14 and I never shed a tear . My mother said to me one day that I had been good to her ( my mother ) and she wished she had been kinder to hers this despite my father helping out the family financially .

Sorry for your loss.
I lost my grandmother when I was 32 and she was 92. A lovely lady. I have wonderful memories of her and was blessed that my own children remember her. They were 7 and 4 when she died and I have lots of photos of her with them.

Very sorry for your very recent loss. My grandmother ( Dad's mum) was a proper cockney sparrow - she and my mother did not get on at all. I remember granny teaching me to drink tea out of a saucer - "because that was what ladies did"! Sure this was to annoy my ladylike mother. A real character and great fun.

I only had one surviving grandparent when I was born. My memory of her is mothballs!

Havemercy my Nan's mother (my great Nan) drank tea out of a saucer too! It must have been a thing.
She died when I was about nine, she was 72, but she seemed absolutely ancient.
Women age so much better these days don't they. If you see photos of women in their 40s even as recent as the 70s and 80s they appear to be decades older.

MissAdventure your Nan sounds like an absolute legend!

Well my dad’s mum was brilliant she would fuss me loads she would share her favourite cake with me etc.But she died when I was 11. Couldn’t quite work out why I got all her attention. Over the other grandkids. Until it hit me about my mum’s mother she would never talk to me always ignore me. Every one used to say bet your spoiled being only granddaughter and oldest of 12 grandsons. But in fact it was completely opposite she blamed me for my parents getting married. She always used to say if it wasn’t for you. My parents were happily married 44yrs when my dad died at his funeral it was only day she sat in the home and removed her coat still ignored me. She dotted my brothers. She even told my mum to chose between us. My mum chose her. Yes I did try for a few years then I give up trying. So that’s what I remember about mine. Sorry about your loss glad you had a good one

Paternal Nan didn’t really want to know us as we had 5 children, and my Dads other siblings only had 2 each. Ironic that as she aged, none of the others wanted to know and we ended up caring for her.
Maternal Nan was absolutely amazing, she lived opposite and was such a hands on, caring Nan. I loved her so much and was closer to her than I’ve ever been to her daughter, my mum. I miss her to this day even tho we lost her nearly 25 years ago.