Audrey Bowring (26 Apr 1929 - 6 Jan 2017)

In loving memory of Audrey Bowring who sadly passed away on 6th January 2017

A tribute to Audrey from Jill

Mum was born in Farlington, to Ellen and Albert Knight and was the 10th of their 12 children. They were a close family and she would often tell stories of happy times spent with her brothers and sisters and their much loved dog Jack. Mum learned a lot about resourcefulness and generosity from her mother; and gentleness and tolerance from her father.

Mum left school at 14 and worked in the drapery department of McIlroys in North End. She enjoyed playing tennis and netball in her spare time.

She met Dad when they were partnered at ballroom dancing class. He was loud and boisterous, and not what she had in mind at all! But over time she began to appreciate his fairness, love of music and sense of adventure and they married in 1951. They enjoyed living in London during the early years of marriage and made lifelong friends there.

Mum and Dad had two daughters, myself and Angela, and raised us in Locks Heath, which was a rural, strawberry growing area at the time.

Mum’s nieces and nephews enjoyed staying with us and have many fond memories of those times. Mum had great empathy with children and will be remembered in the community for her work with the 4th Locks Heath Brownies and for the 26 years she ran the Warsash Victory Hall Playgroup.

Mum had many interests; she loved music, from classical to Cliff Richard, enjoyed history and poetry and was a prolific reader, until she lost her sight. She loved crosswords, quizzes and jigsaw puzzles and was a great knitter, making baby clothes for the whole family and teaching many of us to knit. She enjoyed writing poems for her family and friends, finding comedy in everyday situations. These are all typed and ready for the publisher, should one come along!

Mum was never too busy to put the kettle on when you called and always had a well-stocked biscuit tin to keep Phil and the boys happy!

She was game for almost anything. When asked if she wanted to join her family from food shopping to holidays, her answer would always be "yes please". When Mum was 78 she joined the family on a skiing trip to France, posing for photographs in full ski gear, to convince her friends that she'd been on the slopes!

On another occasion, the family were given a ride in a small aircraft and Mum, not feeling in the least bit nervous or queasy, stuck her fingers in the pilot's back and said "take me to Cuba"!

Her sense of humour sustained her even in the most difficult times. During her admittance to hospital, she joked with doctors and nurses and referred to her son-in-laws as the Mafia when they came to visit.

But most of all Mum loved her family. She adored her grandsons Matthew, Mark and Ben and took every opportunity to spend time with them, getting down on the floor, building dens and playing make believe. They all wanted to stay with her and came home with paintings, baking and other creations. She was the "go to" person for fancy dress costumes and could rustle up a Henry VIII outfit from an old dressing gown and gold necklaces!

Mum’s kindness, generosity and great sense of fun have enriched so many lives. As her family and friends join to celebrate her life, I’d like to say thank you Mum, for all the wonderful things you have done for us. We will treasure our memories and hold you forever in our hearts.