Phyl Kemp (12 May 1925 - 7 Jan 2016)

In loving memory of Phyl Kemp who sadly passed away on 7th January 2016. Phyl was born in Hull but lived all her life in Grimsby. The war had a major impact on her, as she was just 14 in 1939. She spent some of her teenage years in the Land Army on a farm in Appleby near Scunthorpe and forged life-long friendships with the other land girls. She entertained the family on many occasions with her stories from those days.

After the war she worked as a supervisor at Spiller's Flour Mill. She loved dancing and met her husband Cyril at a local ballroom. They married in at St James' Church in Grimsby in 1949. After living in 'rooms' in Daubney Street, Cleethorpes they bought their first house in Gilbey Road, Grimsby and lived there until 1960. Karen, their only child, was born in 1955.

In 1960 Cyril, Phyl and Karen moved to Eastbourne Way, Scartho, where Phyl remained until September 2015. Happy times were spent there and the house became the anchor for both close and extended family. Sadly, Cyril died suddenly, just 3 days before taking retirement, but Phyl continued keeping the house in pristine condition. Learning to drive just wasn't her thing so she took to her bike.

Dinner lady, WRVS volunteer, church-goer - Phyl quietly remained an active member of the community, whilst offering extended babysitting duties. When the rabbit escaped and one little grandson decided to dance on the car roof with his friend she kept her cool, as indeed she did in several times of family crisis.

Phyl was able to enjoy being an important part of her 3 grandson's lives, who she doted on. Kyran, Niall and Ewan became the centre of her life. She was always happy when they phoned and visited and their happiness and welfare were essential to her. She was also thrilled to welcome Charlotte and Felicity into the family, and she was excited about Kyran and Felicity's wedding in October 2016. Her spirit will be with us on that day.

Phyl lived a full life until September 2015. An unfortunate fall resulted in a broken hip and then a number of stays in hospital. She decided to move to live with Karen and Paul and spent a few contented weeks with them before sadly being admitted to Louth hospital on December 23rd with a chest infection, which developed into pneumonia. The family visited her over Christmas, and she was in fine spirit, although frail. She was laughing and joking on the 7th January but admitted she was tired. Perhaps she knew it was time for life to come to an end.