My Mum’s life
She was born in October 1927 and was brought up in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire. She later worked there and in Leeds.
She married my Dad in 1950 and worked with him in special schools in Yorkshire and Shropshire. In 1960 they moved to Cheadle, Greater Manchester, where my Dad was Headmaster and my Mum Matron at Bethesda residential school for disabled children; that is where I grew up.
They were both responsible for the running of the school, but also were very involved in fundraising events. My Dad introduced music and drama (his specialities) to the children and created a school band. My Mum ran the domestic side and drove the school bus. Bethesda was a part of the Boys’ and Girls’ Welfare Society; now known as The Together Trust.
We spent the long summer holidays in our family caravan travelling around Europe (hence my love for road trips!).
In 1982 they retired and moved to North Yorkshire but spent 6 months of each year travelling around Europe, including 2 months working as campsite couriers in France. They stopped travelling when my Dad became ill and he passed away in 1998. My Mum continued to be very active in village life and spent summers taking our daughters to dance summer schools and exciting adventures! She was a terrific Grandma.
In 2015 she moved back to Cheadle, closer to us, to live in a retirement flat. She had an active social life and also enjoyed Facebook, Skype and Words with Friends. In May this year she fell in her flat (dusting because her cleaner wasn’t allowed in…) and broke her hip.
She never really recovered and passed away on 10 September 2020. Her funeral was on 2 October and she would have been 93 on 6 October.
We received many moving tributes and particularly from the Together Trust, who have named their main committee room after my parents (The Thompson Room).
We miss her and particularly remember her laughter!