Mary Griggs (8 Apr 1925 - 12 Aug 2016)

In loving memory of Mary Griggs who sadly passed away on 12th August 2016.

Mum was born in Scaftworth on 8th April 1925 and was the second daughter to Hannah and Wilfred Holmes. I recently learnt from her that her grandmother was the local midwife. Her elder sister, Doreen, predeceased her in 2002 whilst her younger brother, Ivan, still lives in Littlehampton.

She went to the local school and showed good academic abilities moving up through the school rapidly. She moved to Retford High School where she continued to be a good pupil. When the War came she was reduced to part time schooling to make room for evacuees. Despite this she matriculated to start a degree course at Nottingham University reading Mathematics and Chemistry. Whilst at University she represented them at athletics competing in the high jump and hurdles. Whether it was the time taken up by the athletics or the time being distracted by the young men returning from serving in the Air Force during the War her tutor was disappointed in her final results and she received a general degree. It was during this time that she met her husband to be and my father, David. One of those airmen.

After her degree she took her teaching certificate and her first post was in Doncaster. She married my father on 7th August 1948 and they moved into a house in the Park area of Nottingham where they had the use of two rooms and a small kitchen plus shared use of a bathroom. This was close to the school where she taught until I made my appearance into this world in 1953. Before then they had bought and moved into their own home. After a few years at home with me, Mum returned to teaching.

In 1960 my aunt was very ill and my cousins Anne and Judy were given a temporary home by Mum whilst her sister recovered.

1963 is the next landmark with a house move to her final home in Bramcote. She continued to teach, moving schools a couple of times to end at the local Grammar School where she was already known as a parent. She retired in order to accompany Dad on a work trip to Australia and to become Grandma to Rosie and later Jen. Her life changed again in 1995 when she discovered she had breast cancer. Before she underwent treatment they went on a trip across Canada.

She survived the scare but then started to suffer with pains in her back and became progressively unable to walk far. She became very dependent on Dad at this time and her weight increased making walking even harder. With Dad's help she began to lose weight and regain her mobility.

The remainder of her life centred around Dad and the family. When he died in 2002 she wanted to join him. I'm glad she didn't. I've got to know her so much better these last 14 years. She was so independent and determined to stay that way. Her world then centred around her family in the widest sense. I'm sure we all knew that she didn't want to go into hospital and that she wanted nature to take its course. She got her wish. On Saturday 6th August she had a visit from Rosie, John and Emily. She was physically frail but strong mentally. On Monday 8th August she saw her friend Pat and they had a good time putting the world to rights but Linda said she was weaker. On Tuesday 9th August she had her hair done by Pam and they had a laugh and debated the world of Politics. On Wednesday 10th August she suffered a bout of diarrhea and called me an extra time. On Thursday she needed help but did not ask me to visit. When I arrived she was in pain. Despite that, when the paramedic asked if she wanted to go into hospital, she firmly said no. Later that day when the doctor came she was persuaded that they could better help her with the pain in hospital. She died peacefully and painlessly in the early hours of Friday morning.

She told each of us stories of her experiences. We may have heard the same few over and over again. It would be lovely if you could write them down and we can compare notes.

She will be missed by -

Daughter and Son-in-Law Lesley and Malcolm
Granddaughters and Grandson-in-Law Rosie and John and Jen
Great Granddaughter Emily and Great Grandson Kaiden
Brother and Sister-in-Law Ivan and Pat

Nieces - Anne and Judy and their partners and off-spring
Friends - Carol and Ernie; Pat and Dave; Janet and Roy; George and Margaret