My English Rose

What I am sure of is that as our girlies learn their right-mouse clicks and Ctrl+Alt+Del, their love and admiration for their mummy will keep on growing.

An Appeal

This is a joint effort though. Of course, I have a huge library of memories, pictures and anecdotes to draw from, but this tribute to Lisa will be much more complete if contributions were made by the many, many people who were touched by her presence.

So, I would be massively grateful, if when you read this, a particular occasion, pic or anecdote springs to mind, that you wish to share with the world (and Ella + Amelia), then get in touch.

Perhaps you once had your feet measured by Lisa?...maybe you were tought phonemes by her?... did you laugh at her "ring, ring" joke?...or generally just want to celebrate her life. Please drop me a line and we'll get it on here.

Without further ado, I'll now hand over to Lisa's Mum and Dad, Judith & Richard to describe Lisa's entry into the world.

"Lisa was born on Thursday, February 28th 1974 at 4pm – 2 weeks late!!

She weighed 9lb 8 oz and was born in Nether Edge Hospital in Sheffield. When labour started we were taken into the hospital by ambulance, because we didn’t have a car, unheard of today unless it is an emergency. Judith and Lisa stayed in hospital for 10 days because she was born by caesarean section.

Holidays from work had to be booked in advance. There was no paternity leave. Wanting to be there at birth was very adventurous for a father in those days. So Richard booked a week off work 2 weeks after Lisa was due but of course that’s when Mum and baby were still in Nether Edge!

As Lisa was born by caesarean section, R. was not admitted into theatre but had to sign the consent form for Judith and the medical attention she needed. Auntie Susie visited on the Saturday in the morning. Was given special permission as she was Judith’s elderly godmother and had come down from Leeds specially. She got a lift from one of her neighbours. She was in her late 70’s.

Lisa was born on Election Day that year. What would her name have been if she were a boy? The first week home Grandma Whitfield came to help and then Grandma Mumby.

She had a carrycot in the living room near a spider plant, which she used to “talk to”. If she slept outside in the pram she would have a hat on. It invariably ended up over her face as she tried to rub it off. She never liked hats.

That 1st summer in August we took Lisa on the coach to Canterbury, via London. We were picked up and dropped off at the bottom of Green Lane, Dronfield. While we were there we had our 1st professional photo together, taken at Ricemans department store. We also went to the seaside at Westgate. We put Lisa on the sand. She didn’t like the feel of it so we started to organise the bags. When we turned around she was trying to shuffle towards the sea.

In October Lisa had her Christening at St. John’s church in Dronfield. It was only a small party. Grandparents and Godparents. These were Pat Roberts, who Judith taught with at Killamarsh Endowed infants school, Jean Nettleship, Richard’s sister and John Corkindale, an old friend of Judith’s family (Grandma Whitfield’s godson).

The 1st Christmas was spent at Grandma Mumby’s in Gainsborough. Introduced the old red stockings from Jean as Christmas stocking. She was given a doll but soon discarded the doll in favour of the box. Lisa was the first child of this new generation.

She had a slight tongue-tie. Auntie Susie, when she came said the used to just cut with a pair of scissors. She was a nurse and used to do district nursing. Needless to say we didn’t try this!"

And here's some photos of the beautiful baby Lisa.

Thanks to R&J.