June Patricia Hewitt (5 Feb 1928 - 29 Mar 2020)

In loving memory of June Patricia Hewitt who sadly passed away on 29th March 2020. It was a comparatively short but hard fought battle and our fantastic mum and grandma slipped peacefully away at Knowlegate Nursing Home with her daughter and 2 granddaughters sitting with her. Sadly June’s three sons were unable to be there due to the current crisis but their hearts were there.

There will be a simple cremation on 17 April at Robin Hood Chapel but, out of necessity, it will be a private service as numbers are severely restricted. No flowers please. A memorial will be held at a later date to commemorate and celebrate June’s life and details will follow as soon as we are able to arrange one.

June was a loving mother to Paul, Robert, Gary & Stella; Sister to John, Brian and Colin; Mother in law to Lynda, Sandie and Viv; Best Nan ever to Ben, Jonathan, Natasha, Jen, Tom, Laurie and Ewan and a Great Grandma to Eleni, Greyson, Charlie, Eva June, Alexander, Niall and Nico.

Mom - Biography from Paul

June Patricia Hewitt was born to Valentine and Lily Cooper on 5th February 1928. She was the younger sister of her brother John.

Unfortunately, Lily, died 4 years later and both children were placed in care for a while. Valentine eventually remarried and once the family reunited was increased by the arrival of 4 further sons. Brian, Gerald, Graham and Colin. Mom was an only girl with 5 brothers.

Her childhood was spent growing up in Olton, South Birmingham. At school she won a scholarship for further education which was interrupted by the war. She left school at 14 and during the war worked in a bicycle factory. She met Dad in 1946 and were married in 1948. By the mid-fifties we were living on the outskirts of Birmingham in Kings Norton. We, 4 kids, spent our childhood surrounded by farmland, horses and cows and with amazing views across the countryside.

However, by 1966 Mom was on her own with 4 children to bring up. She then supplemented her meagre income by spending many, many hours threading strings of cultured pearls into rows. She worked from home for a local jewellery firm, Maurice Lipkin, where she later worked full time as the head of repairs until she retired in 1988.

Mom enjoyed spending a lot of time with her family and dancing at the local rugby club with her friend Joyce Harris. She also had regular coffee mornings with her nieces, Maureen and Ede over the years. Diane and Margaret were also welcome regular visitors.

She kept in regular touch with a lot of her work friends, for over 30 years, right up to the final years of her life. She was also great friends with our upstairs neighbour, May Ross, who regularly met up with mom over the years. After retiring she made full use of her time by attending keep fit classes and swimming. I believe there was also a frequent meetings at the Navigation Inn or at Cox Moor leisure centre where all the friends met up for a few drinks and a meal.

After moving from a draughty 3 bedroom house in November 2000 Mom moved to her “cosy little bungalow” in Billesley. She was so pleased the bus ran past her front door that she could be shopping in Kings Heath or Solihull very easily. She certainly made use of this service and was out every single day where possible. In her old age mom became very adventurous and prompted by Jen and a desire to meet little Eva June, born in Australia, travelled solo to San Francisco. June not only met Jen’s new little family, but also fulfilled a lifetime ambition to see Brian and all his family in America. It was a very special time for them all.

Mom was very active right up to the end and it came very hard for her to realise she could no longer do the things she loved doing.

Mom’s outstanding successes have to be her 4 children, 7 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.

Mom we will all miss you. Your love. Your friendship. Your loyalty. Not only have we lost our mom we have also lost our best friend.