Maria Christine Kitson (24 Oct 1949 - 4 Jan 2018)

Maria was born on the 24th. October 1949. Daughter of Adam and Janet. She is the eldest of 3 sisters and a brother. She would often reflect on her childhood days playing with her sisters Jennifer,Wanda and her brother Toni.Maria went through school in Mansfield Woodhouse where she lived then onto Brunts grammar school. When she left school she worked as a short hand typist at Mansfield Metal Box, gradually being in charge of a typing pool.I met Maria in The Great Northern public house 1969. In 1970 I asked her to marry me to which she replied ask me when you're sober. We married 2 years later on the 8th. of May 1971.Our daughter Rachel was born later that year,three years later Maria became a type 1 diabetic. after several failed attempts we managed to have our son Grant in 1976.In the 1980s she started work at the lo - cost Shirebrook, then went on to work for the Co-op where she became assistant manageress until it closed and she took early retirement.Every Saturday all the family would go to their parents house for lunch, it was a great day especially having 3 great in laws, Kenny,Lesh and Val. We had holidays with Toni and Val and nights out with Kenny and Jen. Maria worshipped her family who helped us when needed. Maria had many various health problems throughout her life, but never complained, she soldiered on putting her family first. In 2004 Maria was diagnosed with bowel cancer,using her inner strength she beat the illness. Never once did she complain,she took it in her stride.She loved holidays abroad travelling far and wide, central America, south America Thailand, Mauritius and many countries between these. Maria loved her family and doted on her grand daughters Kenzie and Izzie who gave her much happiness. Maria's father was Polish and she had the typical eastern european traits, much inner strength, resilience and strong willed, all of which served her well over the years. We can't see her, but she is with us.