Grace Kitchen (11 Feb 1924 - 16 Feb 2017)
In loving memory of Grace Kitchen who sadly passed away on 16th February 2017, aged 93 years.
Grace Roberts was born at home in Saxilby near Lincoln on 11th February 1924 the younger of two sisters Joan and Elsie and Brother Fred. The family moved to Lincoln and lived on Fredrick Street where Grace attended the Monks road infants and junior school. One thing that Grace learned was to recite the alphabet backwards, something she never forgot and would amaze people with it.
Grace used to tell us her childhood stories; as soon as her mum had gone out they would tip the kitchen table upside down and play boats in it. They would tie neighbours door knobs together, knock on both doors then run.
Grace told a story when she was little about being out with her sisters pushing a neighbour’s child in a pram, they went to a park in Lincoln near where they lived and took the child out to play but forgot to put the brake on and the pram rolled down a slope into the boating lake.
At aged eleven Grace moved to the senior school and left at fourteen starting work the next day at Gilberts garage serving petrol a job she enjoyed very much.
Grace moved on to work with her sister Joan in the offices at a local foundry Ruston and Hornsby and enlisted into the Army during the Second World War.
Grace married Bernard Kitchen of North Hykeham in 1949 and raised a family of four Michael, Melvyn, Anne and Carol. In 1952 the family moved to Woodhall Spa where Grace spent the last 50 years of her life at 7 King Edward Crescent.
The family had happy childhood memories with friends sleeping over and if it rained everyone came in the house playing games, Monopoly was the favourite.
Grace could not afford a family holiday but would make the most of a day out to the seaside, it would be a great family affair and she loved it.
For several years Grace worked at St Andrews School as a dinner lady and in here later years loved to stand outside and watch the children and parents coming and going.
Graces husband Bernard died on the 6th January 1976 after a short illness and on the 4th February her mother Annie Roberts passed away.
Grace made regular visits to her two sisters in Lincoln and met new friends in Woodhall where she attended the local age concern club for lunch and bingo sessions.
Grace started to travel first with her daughter Anne and then with her new best friend Mrs Limb (Beat).
Grace and Beat had many happy holidays in the UK and abroad, her most memorable visit was to where the sound of music was recorded. It was here favourite film and she knew all the songs.
Grace would sometimes go accompanied to the cinema and usually fall asleep. During one film The Kings Speech she woke up and asked the woman in front of her where she was and who were the two men looking in her front window. We all had a good laugh when Anne told us.
Grace loved to feed the wildlife in her garden and would always say don’t throw that food in the bin the birds will eat it. She was always so generous and would give her last penny to anyone. She had such a good caring heart.
As an Aunty, Nana, Grandma and Great Nana she was loved so much she had a smile which lit up the room and had such an infectious laugh. Good times were had with simple card games, New Market and Find the Lady plus regular visits to Jubilee Park for swimming.
The last family get together was her surprise 90th birthday party which she loved as she liked to hear jokes and had a great sense of humour.
As Grace longed for company she went 3 days a week to Russel Green care home and always enjoyed her day out having good meals and plenty of chatting.
With great sadness Grace moved out of 7 King Edward Crescent in October 2015 and went into care at Nightingale House in Bucknall. In December that year she transferred to the Eastwood Lodge care home. Grace was always joking with the carers and made them laugh, one day dressed in mauve she said look at me I look like a bruise.
On Saturday the 4th February 2017 Grace became ill and was sadly confined to bed. On the morning of the 16th her condition deteriorated and the family were called to attend. Her favourite song edelweiss was played and brought tears to her eyes, she passed away very peacefully.
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Bye Mum Love Mick
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Grace used to crack me up with her sense of humor, keep them laughing Grace
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Nana,
I'm crying as I write this as although we knew you wouldn't be around forever at the grand old age of 93 I think we were starting to believe you would be. Woodhall was always coming home and a part of my heart was always there with you, I can't believe that's no longer the case.
I have such wonderful memories of our time together the times you came to us, we came to Woodhall and the 'Kitchen' family gatherings with you very much as the heart of the family.
Distance didn't matter or time, we'd ring you weekly but could go months without seeing you but that didn't matter we were still close. You'll be pleased to know that's something that still goes on when we have cousins weekends, at the next one we'll be raising a glass to you, you'd love it seeing us all happy and together and how well your great grandchildren get on.
My two weeks of Potters where I would come and stay with you on my own are times I'll treasure for ever, as soon as I was driving I wanted to come visit on my own and I did several times sometimes with friends and you always welcomed them. I still make cakes the way you showed me and have passed this on to Ella, you always filled up your cake tin with treats for us when we were coming busying yourself baking and with your knitting I had many cardies and toys you made. I was so proud to introduce you to Kyle and Ella Grace, she was always going to be Grace and I hope you understood the significance of that to me, she was named after a very special person in my life.
I'm sorry near the end I didn't see you as much as I should've or could've, ironically I was coming to see you with the kids the weekend after you passed, I never stopped caring or loving you though.
Memories that will always bring a smile, a life blessed for knowing you, arms that were always open... forever in my heart till we meet again. Your loving granddaughter Fiona xxxx
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90th birthday feb 2013 with Maddie (Madeline) ; Maddie and Ella then meeting baby Ada Nov/Dec 2016
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is attending the funeral and the reception
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Grace in Ireland 2011
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Christmas 2013
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Four generations 2014
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Actually it is Christmas 2013
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Grace and Anne in Ireland 2011
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Dear Mum,
I will always remember how goodhearted you were. You used to come and help me out with the children when I was ill and on my own. You would get the first train you could as you were 100 miles away. You also used to come up for a week or two to help each time I had a new baby. You were a lifeline as Mick used to work away from home such a lot. We used to spend a week or two with you several times a year, and in the school holidays as the children got older.
When we were young our friends were always welcome. You were always busy cooking and baking for us and knitting at night. You also knitted loads of things for your grandchildren too. You always managed to save enough money to buy season tickets for the swimming pool for us in the summer holidays, which was where we spent a lot of our time.
Later in life I had some lovely holidays with you in the UK and abroad. You particularly liked Cyprus, as your brother Fred, who died young, had been there in the war and we visited Larnaca as you knew he had been there and liked it. I shall never forget when you looked out at the sea on a hot sunny day in Cyprus then turned to me, your face was a picture, a beaming smile and shiny eyes. It was a dream come true for you and made me feel happy too.
Lots of love Mum, also from Mick and all our family. We'll meet again! Bye for now.
Your daughter, Anne xxx
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My beautiful Mum xxxx
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Beautiful smile xxxxx
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It is so hard to put into words how much I am going to miss you. You are the best Nan in the world and I have so many happy memories which will stay with me forever. You always made me smile and laugh and you had a heart of gold. Heaven has gained a beautiful angel, we will never ever forget you. Sweet dreams. I love you xxxxxxx
Not only an amazing Nan but also the perfect Great Nanna to Jake and Evie who both love you dearly and will miss you lots xxxxxxxx
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
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Beautiful Nan and Great Nanna xxx
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This is a collage of Graces family that was posted on her room wall at Eastwood Lodge.
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I love this pic of Nana, she was a stunner!
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I remember meeting Grace over 40 years ago on my first day at St Andrews school where she was a dinner lady . Grace was always very kind and made you feel safe. When my boys started at the school many years later Grace was often in her front window waving and chatting to the children passing by. Meeting up with a Grace again last year at Eastwood Lodge was like going back in time as she had not changed a bit, smilies all round and having long chats about the good old days and children she remembered. Rest in peace lovely lady and good night. Xx
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I find it difficult to know we are never going see your beautiful face again but take peace in knowing how lucky we all were to have you in our lives. As I give you a cuddle and kiss while hearing the clink of our glasses greet I know we shall meet again someday. Not only a special nana but an amazing great granny and I'm so grateful you met Ada and had a cuddle. Goodnight xx All our love Heather, Sam, Madeline and Ada xxxx
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You were everything a nana/great nana should be and so much more.
Your house and Woodhall Spa was my second home, I have so many treasured memories of spending summer holidays and weekends with you either across at Jubilee Park or in your garden playing games. Suzie keeps mentioning her duck biscuit you bought her and how we wouldn't let her eat it until we returned to yours, but a little quick lick of the icing soon pacified her.
Sleep tight dearest nana, love you always and forever Anna, Dave, Freddie & Suzie
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Grace,you were a lovely lady and we always looked forward to coming to see you. We especially enjoyed our game of cards on a Saturday night, we always had a good laugh and wondered how you managed to win most games.
Toby is with us and we will take care of him, every time we look at him we will think of you.
We will miss you, sleep tight, love always Sheila and Dave. Xxx
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You will leave a big gap in my life. You know I loved you dearly just like a mum to me. Rest in peace and thanks for the memories (Paul)xx
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Remembering my beautiful Mum and her lovely smile. You were the best mum ever and I will think of you every day. You have left our family with many happy memories you always had a good sense of humour. Now you will be with Dad again. Love you forever love from Carol xxxxxx
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Bye Mum Love Mick
90th birthday feb 2013 with Maddie (Madeline) ; Maddie and Ella then meeting baby Ada Nov/Dec 2016
Grace in Ireland 2011
Christmas 2013
Four generations 2014
Grace and Anne in Ireland 2011
My beautiful Mum xxxx
Beautiful smile xxxxx
Beautiful Nan and Great Nanna xxx
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