Elizabeth Leadbeatter (22 Nov 1927 - 18 Mar 2023)

In loving memory of Elizabeth Mary Leadbeatter (nee Reeves)who sadly passed away on 18th March 2023.

Mum was born on 22nd November 1927 in Purley Surrey. She was the second child and first daughter of Elizabeth and George Hunt Reeves. Her older brother was Douglas and subsequently two sisters arrived, Mary and Edna.
Elizabeth was known to the family as Betty.
Betty and her siblings grew up in Purley - her parents moving to a house in Whytecliffe Road. Betty was eleven years old when the Second World War broke out. She left school at fifteen and obtained a job working as a clerk in insurance. During the war her job moved out of London due to the importance of the work on insurance policy documents. She regularly returned home and most weekends went dancing at Purley Halls with her friends and often with her cousin Glad.
Betty married Victor Francis Leadbeatter on 10th June 1950 in Christ Church, Purley Vic always called her Liz.
Their daughter, Christine was born on 11th September 1951. Their son Trevor was born on 24th June 1955.
The family lived for several years at 48 Whytecliffe Road, virtually opposite Betty's parents. In the late 1950's they moved to 77 Verdayne Gardens in Warlingham, Surrey.
As a family we enjoyed seaside holidays, often staying in a caravan. Mum loved the sea and we have happy memories of St Leonards, Pevensey Bay, Norman's Bay, the Isle of Wight and south Wales. We also all enjoyed our day trips to Newhaven after Dad learnt to drive.
After Trevor started secondary school Mum returned to work, she had a clerical job with a firm in Croydon. She also learned to drive. She and Dad supported Christine to follow her dream of becoming a teacher. They supported Trevor at Durham University.
By the early 1980's Mum and Dad had moved to Whitstable in Kent. Dad was still working for Barclays Bank and commuted into London until his retirement. Whilst living in Whitstable they welcomed a miniature long haired dachshund puppy into their home. They named him Toby and he enriched their lives for many years. After Toby, who they missed dreadfully, they had Benjy another miniature dachshund . By this time Mum and Dad had moved to Nottingham and lived very close to a small park. They could easily take Benjy for a walk everyday.
In the year 2000 Mum and Dad celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary and in 2010 they had their Diamond Anniversary.
Sadly, Dad passed away in February 2014.
Mum was a passionate gardener. She enjoyed tending her plants and would much rather be outside than indoors. Mum particularly loved Spring time flowers and also sunflowers, roses and alstroemeria.
As Mum's sight began to fail she missed watching the birds in her garden. She was proud of the number of blue tit families raised in her bird box, always watching out to see when they were going to fledge. The resident robin was also a firm favourite.
Mum leaves behind two children; Christine and Trevor, three grandchildren; Nicola, Ashley and Jayne, and four great grandchildren; Megan, Harry, Eleanor and Tilly.