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Eileen was born at Braunston near Daventry on 14th May 1923 and spent
her early life there. She was very musical and loved singing and playing
the piano. She was a keen member of her church choir. In 1945 she
married Mick and through him entered the horse world. I don't think
she ever felt really at ease with horses - she was much happier with
dogs and budgerigars.
I first met Eileen in 1960 when she and Mick moved to Stockings Farm
on Mick's appointment as stud groom to the Lindsay family. I soon
got to know Eileen very well as she used to cycle down to Falcutt
Hall every day for her milk. I lived there and my children used to
run out to the dairy at about 3.30pm to wait for Eileen pedalling
down the drive with her milk can on the handlebars. Peels of laughter
could be heard coming out of the dairy if my husband Tony was about.
He used to tell Eileen and Joyce Rose, who worked for us, a few choice
jokes. She really loved children and was sad not to have any of her
own. She made up for this by having numerous nephews and nieces to
visit her and Mick in the holidays. She was always interested in my
growing family and hearing all their news. When I visited her in the
last few months of her life, she asked after each of my children by
name and wanted to know about their families even though she was very
ill and it was obvious that she would not be with us for much longer.
Eileen was a member of the W.I. for a few years; she entered wholeheartedly
into the various activities that were going on. We were very pleased
to have a musician to play the piano and to help with the singing.
For many years she went to Pat Seckington's to have her hair done
and took a keen interest in what was going on in the village. Whenever
I visited The Bungalow at Stockings Farm, I was always made very welcome
and offered a cup of tea or something stronger!
Unfortunately Eileen suffered from ill health for some years. I went
to their Ruby Wedding celebrations in 1985 and it really struck me
then that her health was failing. I shall always remember Eileen as
a quiet, friendly lady who liked nothing better than to have a good
laugh.
The family would like to thank everybody for their well wishes and
support.
Ann Smith |