Mary Jessie Wood (29 Oct 1919 - 9 Oct 2017)

Tribute To Jessie (Nan) By Paul Wood - Full Version

UNSUNG HEROES!

Born in 1919, Jessie was one on 8 children, there would have been one more, but sadly her mother died during childbirth, killing both mother and child. Jessie's father also passed away after returning from World War I, he died of pneumonia leaving all of the children having to live in Mullers Orphanage in Bristol (Read more about Muller online, see the end).

When Jessie was old enough to leave the orphanage, she met Albert who was to become her husband at the grand age of 20 years old in 1939. Disaster struck again with the onset of World War II and My Grandad Albert served 5 years in the war as a soldier, presumably to come out the other side of the war a changed man, he never spoke of the war and was very quiet. I can never begin to imagine the hell they both went through for the freedom we have in the UK today. They lived happily married until a massive heart attack ended their marriage after what I think was about 50 years together.

During the war, my Nan worked in a factory making aeroplane valves for the Spitfires, She called it the capstan, a name for a lathe. She told me of one incident where she made a big mistake damaging over 100 valves, she was given a severe telling off as the metal and work involved to get them that far was in short supply. It is horrific to think that over 20,300 planes were made and many were lost in battle, we owe our lives to these brave men and women. Working in the factories, these ladies risked being bombed just going to work!

The War Ended and My Dad appeared, who sadly passed away 19 years before his mother. Miss You Dad, I am sure you will meet your mom and dad again in the spirit world.

Both Jessie and Albert worked hard all of their life and Jessie visited her family in Australia and New Zealand for 3 months, she cooked 3 months worth of food, cling film wrapped on paper plates and frozen for Albert to warm up in the oven, microwave ovens where expensive then! Needless to say while the cat was away, the mouse did play and Grandad brought fish and chips, had a few bets at the bookies and whiskey in his coffee, naughty Grandad :-)

Although Albert would not fly very far, they did enjoy holidays in Italy, Spain, other places in what we now call Europe and I remember lots of holidays with them to Weymouth and Rhyl with my baby sister Debbie, not such a baby now! One holiday in Whitsun is another story to be told another day :-)

Jessie was a powerful minded lady, and if something needed fixing, once she got on that phone, then there was only one option, but to get it fixed, sadly Dementia slowly crept in and caused forgetfulness leading to various fire incidents in the house, the last one was a big one and the sofa was destroyed, risking the lives of two neighbours, their family and young children. So for the last 17 years or so, she has received virtually 24 hour care by our countries network of carers, they work hard, for little pay and unsociable hours, so I thank care workers the world over, MORE UNSUNG HEROES!

Before going into the care home, Jessie's dementia was slowly getting worse, my father was alive then and he used to find her on his doorstep when he got home from work until her memory got worse and she could not find the way. Jessie used to complain about the TV repeating itself, yes it does for most people, but for a Dementia sufferer the problem is that the last minute or 10 seconds can repeat itself! For my Nan and others this is very real and frustrating, so much so that she once threw her large TV off the furniture and it broke!

The wonderful system of care that we have in the UK enabled her to stay in her own home until she became a danger to herself, the health visitors are another example of yet more UNSUNG HEROES.

There are still unsung heroes today, like charities Dementia UK and yes I will be pleading for a donation shortly as one day it could be me or you!

RIP NAN - MARY "JESSIE" WOOD

LOVE PAUL x

The Last Unsung Heroe Was George Muller Who Died Virtually Penniless For A Good Cause, Read More On The Great Man Muller Online :-

http://www.childrenshomes.org.uk/Muller/