Margaret "Jean" Anderson

Jean was born in Misterton on 23^rd June 1923, 100 years ago and into a world very different to that of today. She was the youngest of 4, having 3 elder brothers.  Most people travelled by bicycle; cars were few and far between, and there were no electrical appliances. Turning into bed for some was still by candlelight. Tales from Jean’s schooldays sounded tough and discipline was key. Trudi recalls Jean telling her that forgetting to take your thimble into sewing class resulted a sharp rap across the knuckles, a lesson quickly learnt !

Jean left school aged just 14 and went into service as most girls did, but that was short lived. She and Syd were childhood sweethearts. Syd originated from nearby Gunthorpe and worked on the land. When they met Jean Jean was working in a store earning just 5 shillings a week. Then the war came along and everything changed. Jean, along with her elder brother, worked at Rose Forgrove Engineering on ammunitions. Jean regularly spoke of her journeys by cycle to Gainsborough and back to work 12 hour shifts .A story repeated many times to all who would listen.  Tough times indeed but the camaraderie amongst the workforce was strong and friendships were formed to last a lifetime. Jean had two brothers who served in the war and she was forever grateful for their safe return at the end of the war.

Jean and Syd married in April 1945. Although nearing an end, the war was still on and rationing very much in force, impacting heavily on any wedding preparations. Coupons were collected, swapped or shared, with friends and family pulling together.

Gerald was born in 1948 and Trudi followed some 5 ½  years later in 1954.  Jean was the matriarch, a good Mum, defending her family to the hilt. Gerald and Trudi’s  childhood days were happy, spent at The Ramblers, Misterton where their parents ran a smallholding to supplement the household income. They kept chickens and pigs and raised turkeys for Christmas. They sold eggs and tomatoes, grew all manner of soft fruits and vegetables and the orchard at the bottom of the garden provided a plentiful supply of fruit. They lived the “Good Life”. Jean was a superb cook and baker. She made delicious cakes and pastries and baked the bread. She prepared all manner of pickles, jam and chutneys along with her speciality: raspberry vinegar. Kidney beans were preserved in salt, and vegetables stored outside: there were no fridges or freezers then. Cooking from scratch was the norm and like most children then, they knew nothing else.

For many years Jean worked as a Home Help visiting the elderly in Misterton and the surrounding villages. Trudi recalls Jean plating up a Christmas day dinner for an elderly gentleman whom she visited and lived alone. She promptly jumped in the car to take him his dinner before they all sat down to tuck in.

Jean was a talented dressmaker and made most of her own clothes, Trudi’s too. She made daughter-in-Law Lynn’s wedding dress and ventured into some tailoring, making jackets, coats and suits. She always had some knitting on the go for family members and did tapestry too.

Following the marriages of both Gerald and Trudi, Jean gained her daughter in law Lynn, granddaughter Beverley and, son in law Richard.

Jean loved gardening and never came away from a garden centre empty handed. She enjoyed travelling, caravanning and walking.  There are many happy memories from when they followed these pursuits on family holidays and outings.

Jean had never lost touch with Elsie, the lady whom she had worked alongside during the war making sprockets for spitfires. Following the loss of Syd in 1998 (and after 53 years of marriage) Jean and Elsie (a widow herself too), joined forces and enjoyed many holidays together, touring Britain, Southern Ireland and Europe whilst they reminisced those wartime days.

Richard, Trudi’s other half would play a few friendly tricks on Jean. In her advancing years he would take her by the arm, raise his hand to stop the traffic, before escorting her safely across the road. She would respond with a tut and telling him to behave; but really she enjoyed the craic. Just as well as he repeated this exercise many times.  

Jean especially enjoyed excursions to the London Theatres with Trudi. On one particular occasion, they exited by the theatre rear door. It was dark, getting late and they needed to return to the coach. Trudi was having some considerable difficulty in convincing Jean of the correct way back, that is until an elderly couple joined in their conversation as they were lost and about to head the wrong way.  As quick as a flash Jean promptly turned tail advising them to follow her daughter as she new the way. Her defensive spirit was still there.

In her senior years Jean regularly said to others that “her daughter is the boss now” and Trudi would joking respond ” its payback time” to which she would add with a wry smile:

“I think I’ve had my fair share of pay back now”.

Jean loved her clothes and had a dislike of anything she considered to be old fashioned. Even when she was approaching 100 years Trudi knew better than to buy her old ladies’ slippers, nighties and suchlike.  

Jean loved going out, was never a tea and slippers type person and could never understand those elderly ladies who chose to forgo a trip out because it was raining.

Jean had a passion for dancing that lasted a lifetime. From conversations with Jean’s carers in Cumberworth Lodge towards the end of her life, it was clear that her passion for dancing never left her. Several of them have spoken of Jean’s attempts to teach them the Cha Cha and the Tango - much to their joy and with varying degrees of success.

All Jean’s family would like to to give their heartfelt thanks to the staff at Cumberworth Lodge for their kind and compassionate care. Jean was always treated with dignity and their dedication, love and devotion has been a great comfort.

Throughout her life Jean had a strong constitution, and adopted very much a Dunkirk Spirit, which was typical of her generation. Trudi has added: “Mum, you were a fighter to the end; thank you for the many years we spent together and the special memories made.”