Edna was born on 28th October 1925 in Melksham, Wiltshire, to Frederick George and Bessie Eliza Rogers. Frederick was a stoker in the local workhouse in the town and Bessie used to be a nurse at the same establishment. Edna was the eldest of three daughters; Rita was the middle one and Brenda was the youngest. Edna attended Lowbourne school in Melksham up until the age of fourteen; one of her teachers also taught Susan when she went to school. On leaving school, Edna went to work in a department store called Gowens; she worked in the materials department where they sold fabrics for curtains and dresses. When war broke out Edna was stationed at United Daries, where she packed provisions, returning to Gowens and her old job when peacetime returned. Edna had a nickname.. she was called ‘Minnie’ [after Minnie Ha Ha]. Apparently they used to play cowboys and Indians and Edna always played the part of Minnie Ha Ha; she was also known as ‘Our Min’. The three girls used to share a bike together… it’s name was an ASP ‘All Spare Parts’; Edna would pedal it, Rita sat on the saddle and Brenda would sit on the carrier… what fun the would have together. When sweet rationing was on, youngest sister Brenda would go to Bailey’s shop and get their sweets, which she went on to sell to Edna for a profit; she would also try to bribe Edna with a Mars bar, not to tell Mum about things like getting home late etc. Rita’s husband Roy, developed TB and had to spend a year in bed, so they moved in with the family during this period. Edna would take Ron his meals on a tray each day and every day he would catch her out by saying he ‘hadn’t washed his hands yet’. She then had to go and get him a bowl and flannel so he could wash his hands…. Edna never learned. Edna met future husband Ronald at a funfair; they were introduced by Rita’s husband Roy and that carousel ride was the start of thirty nine years of married life together. Ron and Edna were married at St Andrew’s church in Melksham on September 1st 1951 and went on to live at Frederick and Bessie’s home; Ron worked in the construction industry. Susan, their only child, was born in February 1959 and as a family they would cycle everywhere. Susan told me that they never had a car until she was seventeen and she started to learn to drive; it was around this time that she met Michael. Edna absolutely hated sitting in the front seat of the car, but boy, was she an expert back seat driver, leaning over Ron’s shoulder as he drove along, giving him instructions about this and that. It got so bad one day that just outside Trowbridge, Ron stopped the car, got out, and walked away. Edna so loved having the grandchildren down for their holidays… but only one at a time. Her favourite place to take them was the duck pond at Biddestone, where they would feed the ducks together. Other favourite places they would visit included Weston Super Mare and Cheddar Gorge. She had three wonderful Grandson’s, Darren, Kieran and Mathew who were her pride and joy. On one visit to Gran, Darren was stung by a wasp. Edna took him to the pharmacy where the assistant sprayed the affected area to ease the sting; she then thanked the assistant and left, never thinking of buying the spray that was used. Edna was described to me as a quiet lady, very content with her home, never hankering after new horizons.. she always made the best of what she had. She was described to me as being very houseproud…. You could eat your meals off the floor was one comment made about her cleaning prowess… she even dusted the cut out switches in the electricity box, much to Grandson Darrens dismay as the lights went out and he lost hours of information he had just loaded onto his computer. Husband Ron sadly passed away during February 1990 after thirty nine years of marriage and her grandson Kieran died in October 2001, the day before Edna’s birthday. Edna enjoyed watching her remaining grandsons mature and find partners of their own and was so proud of her three Great Grandchildren, Erin, Leyla and little Roman, who she had just started knitting a jumper for, when she took ill. Knitting was Edna’s passion and as long as she had her needles at hand… she was content. The family always received hand-knits and Michael got his new fishing hats via the power of Edna’s knitting needles. Edna lived in the same house for sixty years and only moved out into sheltered housing after being burgled, which unsettled her; she so enjoyed the activities in the complex. She also enjoyed attending Queensway chapel in Melksham and looked forward to trips out with her friends. When Michael and Susan decided to move to Spain 18 months ago, Edna was not going to be left behind, but the transition would not be easy for her. The first year here on Camposol was very difficult, but during the last six months she was beginning to settle and to enjoy her life here. Sadly, she was not to have time to really get to know people and make new friends. Edna’s musical tastes included Vera Lynn, Val Doonican and Daniel O’Donnel, to name a few. Michael could never get her into Rock and Roll…. She had the ability to just blank it out. She loved Coronation Street and Emmerdale… and this was a priority on arrival in Spain… forget the aircon, just get a big dish… and talking of dishes…. Edna loved plain food and especially loved her fish and chips…. No spices please! Edna would spend her days, with her needles in the ‘D’ at the villa, moving seats to follow the sun around from morning to evening, just enjoying the simple things in life. Your time in Spain was short Edna and you will be so very missed by your family and friends who loved you so much….. I wonder if you will have much time for knitting in Heaven ! God bless you.