Ellen Croft (5 Feb 1938 - 3 Oct 2015)

In loving memory of Ellen Croft who sadly passed away on 3rd October 2015 aged 77 years.
Ellen was born Maud Ellen Ward in Bolton-upon-Dearne, South Yorkshire on 5th of February 1938. She attended Bolton-upon-Dearne primary school and Goldthorpe secondary modern. During her time at school she won a prize for flower arranging. Ellen always had an artistic flair making her own and her children's clothes, birthday, Xmas, cards etc. Her family always called her Nelle, however on leaving school at the age of fifteen she insisted that everyone including her immediate family call her by her correct name of Ellen, she never used her first name Maud. (Harold didn't know her first name was Maud until the day they were married).
On leaving school Ellen worked in Wards Pop Factory, her parents felt that working in such a cold environment was a contributing factor to her contracting Rheumatoid Arthritis at the age of nineteen. She left the pop factory to work on the busses as a conductress.
During her time of working as a 'clippie', her sister Ann married Laurence Croft, Ellen was the chief bridesmaid. At the wedding she met Harold Croft, who was the best man for his brother Laurence. Ellen and Harold started dating and were married 2 years later on 4th August 1962. She later became a seamstress at the C0-0p sewing factory.
In 1963 Harold and Ellen had their first daughter Karen, Andrew followed in 1965 and Susan in 1968. In the early 70's Ellen and Harold bought their first home in Wath-upon-Dearne where they lived until 1975. In 1974 Harold applied for a job in South Africa. Ellen, Harold and their children moved to Pretoria where they lived for 27 years. Ellen had always wanted to return to England and did so in 2002, to live in Coventry near their eldest Daughter and family. Ellen was a keen gardner along with Harold they changed the garden of their bungalow into an oasis of calm and won a local garden competition. She lived in Coventry until she passed away on 3rd October 2015.