Edna May Fortnam (29 Jan 1934 - 19 Jul 2026)

In loving memory of Edna May Fortnam who sadly passed away on 19th July 2026 aged 92 years.

Edna was born in Littleton on Airlie in Kirriemuir, Scotland on 29th January 1934, the fourth sister in a family that would become six once her two younger brothers were born.

She enjoyed a simple, rural childhood which was luckily barely impacted by World War Two. Upon leaving school she worked in a few local businesses, her favourite job being at Visocchi’s soda fountain where she was treated as a member of the family. Edna was eager to explore the the world beyond the Scottish glens and met a young English man named John Fortnam on her way home from a holiday in Belgium. This led to her moving to Peckham, in South London to lodge with his family and work in Jones and Higgins in 1957, they got married in 1959. Their son, Ian was born in 1960, and the trio enjoyed living within an extended family home until the house they were living in was compulsory purchased so that the North Peckham Estate could be built. This meant that Edna John and Ian moved to Witham, in Essex in 1968. In 1970 Julia, their daughter was born and they became a family of four.

Once Julia started school, Edna started volunteering and later working in playgroups, eventually managing her own at Spring Lodge Community Centre and became an active member of the local community, even running for council at one point, as an Independent candidate. In 1984 Edna, John and Julia moved to the Isle of Sheppey in Kent, buying a pet shop, Pet’s Pantry, on Sheerness High Street. Sadly, their marriage failed and they decided to split up in 1990 and later divorced. Edna continued to singly manage the pet shop until 1997 when she retired and moved to Minster On Sea.

Her Grandsons Riley and Finlay were born in 1999 and 2004 and Edna adored them and played a very active, supportive role in their childhood. Edna had a long, happy retirement and was a fiercely strong and independent woman until the very end, living in her own home (within Riverbourne Court in Sittingbourne since 2021) until the day she passed, despite having been diagnosed with Vascular Dementia in 2025.

She will be dearly missed by all of her family and friends, particularly her son Ian and his partner Petrina, daughter Julia, her sons Riley and Fin and Zena the Labrador who loved Nanny treat very much.

Please note that we would request family flowers only if you would like to make donations to Dogs Trust in mum’s memory that would be greatly appreciated.

Also mum wanted us not to mourn, but rather celebrate her life so please don’t feel you need to wear black, bright colours are very welcome.