Elaine Lewis (15 Feb 1928 - 18 May 2022)

Dear Elaine,

It is so strange to realise that you won't be around for a quiet chat and not hear that nicely infectious giggle of yours at a shared indiscretion or joke. You were always a fixture in the family, looking after Caroline when Peter was born and being the first to give him a cuddle when Hilary and he came back home from hospital.

We have super memories of being in France with you and Tony; that makeshift swing over the stream; fishing for carp and trout in the lake at Brondineuf (not that we caught any !) and the memories of Christmas in France with the family. Those sheep that didn't want to move out of the way when we were trying to get the lawnmower up beside the lake, and gently boating around in the sunshine with only a quiet hum from the electric outboard motor. Also discovering the bats clinging to the walls behind the shutters, which Peter and Caroline were fascinated by.

Those holidays we had with EJ, Tom and Olive, too. I remember the litle Fiat hire car struggling to climb the hill to a monstery close to Lake Garda and my threats to throw you and EJ out to lighten the load - but we did make it to a well deserved gelato at the summit. You and Tony always came over for Christmas, and I recall with amusement that time you discovered your car was almost out of petrol and had to search for a fuel station open on Christmas morning, but you did make it, if a little flustered !

It is such a pity that in the past few years communication was made so difficult and you never had the opportunity to see Caroline and Alex's new home, and especially little Wilbur. You would have loved him !

Much love, tinged with sadness at what might have been,

Bob

In loving memory of Auntie Elaine

Dearest Auntie Elaine, I have such lovely memories of happy times we spent together. From the times I walked with my grandmother to meet you from work at the telephone exchange, to being in your old Singer car. I remember the smell of your sheepskin jacket you wore when you were a navigator rally driving. The time we washed your green mini and found the sliding windows were not water proof. Later we would visit you at the Housewarming centre on Outram Street where there was often something sweet from the Rayburn. (You always had a sweet tooth and were expert at cooking … even teaching cookery evening classes.) Later I worked in the same chemist where you had worked…but I never had to melt crayons to make lipsticks!
You always promised I would be your bridesmaid, but instead I was witness to your wedding to Tony. We took you to the registry office and as usual, we’re so last minute as we had to wait for your nail varnish to dry before you could get in our car.
After you retired you became a registrar. This was due to your smart appearance and neat handwriting. I never knew how many marriages you performed. I am sure they were all memorable.
You loved being a great Aunt to Caroline and Peter and were there for the birth of Peter. You were so proud to be the first to hold him when he arrived home from hospital.
When Tony was looking for his 2nd house in France I was asked to go and stay for a few weeks….buying furniture, lawnmowers etc. It was great fun, though being so kindhearted, you were upset when we went fishing in the lake …even though we never caught anything!
Later, you often came on holiday with us…. to Egypt, Estonia, Norway, Latvia, Croatia, but best of all Italy…. Where you were amazed by the narrow streets and tight bends.
Sadly, in recent years we’re have been prevented from seeing you as much as we would have liked but that does not mean you have never been far from our thoughts.
You were so excited to hear you were to become a Great Great Aunt for the first time. You so wanted to meet Wilbur and it is sad to know this could not be.
Your loving niece, Hilary xx