Beryl Mona Elizabeth Floate (11 Apr 1928 - 22 Dec 2018)

In loving memory of Beryl Mona Elizabeth Floate who sadly passed away on 22nd December 2018.

Beryl was born in Leigh on Sea on 11th April 1928. Her parents were Claude and Jessie May Rolfe.

She attended school in Chalkwell and was evacuated to Derbyshire during the war, but returned home to Westcliff before long. She joined Barclays Bank in the late 40s when she met Marcus Spence who also worked for Barclays, marrying him in April 1950 at Eastwood Congregational Church.

Beryl and Marcus lived with Beryl's parents in Eastwood Old Road to begin with during which time the first of three children, Janet, was born in 1951. They moved to a bungalow in Woodside before too long and more children arrived; Robert in 1954 and Helen in 1957. Beryl had left her job at Barclays by the time Janet was born. Meanwhile Marcus's career was developing and in 1964 he was offered the job of manager of a sub branch of Barclays at Socketts Heath in Grays. In those days the bank insisted managers live close to customers, so the family moved to Grays.

Tragically, in 1971, Marcus died aged 51. Support from Barclays was very strong following this. Beryl took driving lessons, passed first time and updated her clerical qualifications and returned to work in banking part time. Through Barclays social connections Mum eventually met Ken Floate, a widower and retired bank manager and they married in June 1976 and Beryl has lived at Arundel Gardens, Westcliff ever since. She gained two step daughters Caroline and Anna and their respective families.

By this time each of Beryl's children were married, and grandchildren began to arrive - six between 1977 and 1990. Beryl was very supportive during this time and was much loved by all her grandchildren. Later in the 2010s, three great grand children arrived!

Very sadly Ken died in 1988, within months of her father Claude dying - this was a very difficult time for Beryl.

Beryl loved walking or rambling, especially in areas such as Exmoor, Wales and the Lake District. She and Ken had many walking holidays and frequently visited their children and grandchildren. She had keen interests in nature, wildlife and gardening which she passed on to her children.

Beryl has been associated with Belfairs Methodist Church from the early 1950s until very recently. Her children attended Sunday school there and she played piano countless times during services and was still playing until quite recently.

Beryl continued to visit her friends and family around the country until she found driving for any distance too difficult about three years ago. She was a great supporter of numerous charities and if you would like to contribute to charity in accordance with Beryl's wishes you can donate to RSPB or Great Ormond Street Hospital Childrens' Charity.