Freda Ralling (12 Oct 1930 - 25 Mar 2023)

In loving memory of Alfreda Ralling who sadly passed away on 25th March 2023.
Alfreda – Freda, as she was customarily called, was born to Ellen and Alfred Wenham 12th October 1930 in Edmonton. She was a younger sister to Joan, and an older sister to Pauline. She survived her beloved husband John by 20 years and leaves behind her four children, ten grandchildren and three and a half great grandchildren.
At the age of nearly 18 she moved to Southend Hospital where she trained to be a nurse in the newly formed National Health Service. She was a natural carer and soon qualified as a State Registered Nurse. She spent many years working at “SGH” in various capacities eventually becoming Sister of the Casualty Department at the Accident Center.
It was at the hospital that the youthful Freda met the man she would marry and to whom she would devote the rest of her life, John Ralling. They married and before long had set up home together at “Dee Zed” in Leigh on Sea where they brought up their four children. It was a busy house, full of noise and laughter and dogs.
Freda had grown up during a time when the world was in turmoil; she was evacuated on three occasions, spending time in Little Wakering, Wolverton and Morecambe and it was during these times that she developed her lifelong love of the countryside, animals and birds.
Having spent many of her early years under rationing at a time when almost everything was in short supply, she learned from a young age how to manage on very little. It was a skill that she used to great effect for the rest of her life. Nothing went to waste. You would not believe how many meals she was able to coax from a roast chicken!
Freda touched so many lives – as a mother, grandmother or friend. She was practical, decisive and always knew the right thing to do. To say that she will be very much missed by very many people is a huge understatement, but it is true.
May we always remember, amongst so many other things, her skill at knitting, her legendary love of pigs, and the simple pleasure she derived from sipping a nice chilled glass of German white wine (preferably Piesporter but Niersteiner would suffice, at a pinch).
We would appreciate family flowers only please but donations can be made on Freda’s behalf to either Little Havens Children's Hospice or The Woodland Trust.
We would also encourage those that are planning to attend the funeral service to wear a colour that they feel comfortable and happy in.