Nancy's century lived to the full.

Nancy was born in 1920. Can any of us imagine what she has seen in her long life? She was 100 years and a few months on this planet and had recently become bionic, after a fall. She had recovered so well, but an underlying aneurism took her back into hospital just a day or so ago. She had always wondered what would take her off. With George by her side she proceeded to face time us and say her goodbyes in lucid, loving words. She was ready to go, and she slipped away peacefully yesterday the 27th of April and we are all heartbroken. 

She was remarkable in every way and Queen Nancy, Ma, Granny leaves us with her rich legacy of life. She lived through war time rationing, Hitler and the creation of the NHS. She married her first love Andrew and they lived happily in their home, raising two wonderful sons. She gave up nursing once she had Nicholas.The loss of Andrew and Nicholas a few years later was very hard for her. But she surprised us by following us around the world, with renewed zest and took everything in her small and determined stride. Her height diminished over the years but never her spirit and her impeccable dress sense. She enquired about everything and everyone. Her prodigious memory meant that what had long gone from my brain, was firmly in hers and it came out years later, accurately every time. Questions about the kinship of African tribes, the number of tiles on Sydney Opera house and Evonne Goolagong Cawley's tennis career had us rushing to Google to find answers. She was able to embrace technology and loved her IPAD which was the way she kept in touch with all, but especially her adored five grandsons of whom she was so very proud. She followed their lives with enthusiasm and genuine curiosity which included her unique ability to ask about their girlfriends. She would engage them regularly with questions about their jobs, their prospects, the changes in the world and what they thought of them. She was delighted with the recent additions of great grandchildren to the family and enjoyed receiving news of them on her IPAD. 

Her ability to move with the times also astounded us, and we often discussed politics, gay marriage, racism, bitcoins and "cryptons" as she fondly called them. She attended lectures and played bridge and we discussed questions which arose from those Fellowship lectures every time we spoke, some of which we couldn't answer! 

She was to me the most supportive mother in law I could ever have wished for and on our wedding anniversaries she would thank me for marrying her son. They are both made of the same steely material, tenacious but loving, curious and clever. Our lives will forever be blessed by the immense love of family she showered on us and our extended families and she will live with us reminding us you are never too old to learn or take advantage of what life has to offer. Forever in our love.