Violet Grey (10 Oct 1922 - 12 Jan 2015)

Vi - We had so many good times together as two young families and that is how I will always remember you. So sad to lose you but never forgotten.
Monica

I will never forget the time I stayed with Aunty Vi and Uncle Mick when I first started work in London. They were so kind and helpful to me and Aunty Vi was always there for me with a warm smile and the occasional 'no nonsense' advice when needed! She helped me a lot to get started in my career, although the full English breakfast to start the day soon took its toll on my waistline! Thanks for all you did for me - I really appreciated it - Be good!

My favorite memories of Aunty Vi were sitting in her living room, looking at family photos and listening to the story of her life. She would tell her tales with a mischievous gleam in her eyes that you just new would lead to a laughter inducing conclusion. These were not only family stories, but also something of a geography and history lesson of the city of London.
Perhaps it would be of Uncle Mick getting a suction cupped toy stuck to his forehead while trying to entertain me as a toddler. Maybe it would be my Grandfather, Dada Tom, running home during the blackout shouting at the top of his lungs for "help!" It was not that he was in imminent danger..just in dire need of the loo !
Then again It could be Dad fooling her, with his very realistic air raid siren call during the Blitz.. causing her to scramble downstairs to the shelter while he stood laughing up above.
Watch out for his pranks in the big upstairs Aunty Vi, and as you always said "Be good !"
Love
Steve Havens ( Lori Keen and Will Havens)

When I was just a little girl you
took me by the hand, and explained what happened in the world, so I would understand. When I became a teenager and thought that I knew best, you laughed at me and told me growing up was one big test. If I passed then I would understand its not easy being a mum, to handle screams and moods and tears that were very sure to come.
Then I grew up and married and had children of my own, and you would laugh when I told you of their tantrums and moans and groan. The years passed swiftly by and then one day we both grew old, but your memories were sadly gone, eyes dimmed and skin grew cold. I held your hand and kissed your face and watched you slip away. I wish I could have had my old mum back with me for just one day.
xxxx

They say that grandchildren are God’s reward for having children and I know Nan enjoyed being around for us growing up. I can remember how pleased she was when Paul and Emma arrived.
Nan is there in many of my earliest memories. For a long time whenever I hurt myself or had a mishap I would implore Mum to ‘phone my nan!’ for her sympathy. And I remember being really excited to see her and Daddy Mick whenever they came back of holiday and we went to collect them at the airport.
Daddy Mick taught me the value of money and to always pay your debts and Nan taught me to try to be kind – she used to tell me off when I was horrible to the animals, telling me I was wicked and that God was watching me and loved all his creatures.
As Tracy has written, Nan taught us all to knit, and to not be upset when Daddy Mick kept the pocket money he won off us at cards – they always gave it back to us in the end and were always generous.
Over the past few years my relationship with Nan was mostly over the phone. I will miss our chats, about what I’ve been doing (she used to call me Champagne Charlie, because I used to go out so much with work and booze so much), about her housework and what she’d read in ‘my book’ (as she used to call the magazines I would send her).
I’m glad that my last memories of Nan are happy ones. We spent a lovely couple of hours with her just before Christmas and she was really jolly. A few years ago I sent her a card saying how much she meant to me and how grateful I was for her help over the years and she phoned me to thank me for it and was unusually sentimental – it meant we both knew how we felt about each other, and that didn’t change. And for that I am extremely grateful. Be good, Nan!

My Nan was a wonderful Grandmother, world class knitter, an outspoken individual and she kept a mean garden. Her culinary skills were by no means the best, but as children we thought her egg & chips and roast potatoes were. Food and drink was the way she showed her love and she even shared her drinks with me (just a taste) when I was very young. Drinking with my grandparents continued when I grew up. I used to visit my Nan and Granddad every week after my aerobics class. All that hard work gave me an appetite for the cheese and biscuits and 'Old Granddad' and coke (I introduced them to that) we used to share.
My Grandparents did so much for me that I tried to repay them when they needed help. This was not always successful ...I tried to teach my Granddad to use a very complicated mobile phone that was way to small for his fingers. I tried to teach my Nan how to use her music centre -I stuck labels and went through a step by step process with her so she could play her CD's. I tried to teach her how to use the new space age washing machine but in the end she waited for my Mum to do the washing for her. One thing I could do was the housework and wash & cut her hair. She liked her head massaged best of all. "Look at her" she used to say to Matt as he sat with Nan following in the family tradition that had moved on to Stella Artois and bottles of beer "she can't sit still".
No, you're right Nan, I can't., I'm just like you!

My Nan was and will continue to be a source of strength for me. Bye Nan. Be Good!

Those we love don't go away, they walk beside us every day. Unseen, unheard but always near, still loved, still missed and very dear. I will miss you but am glad you are at peace now, and back with all those that you loved and lost before you left to join them xxx