Christine Wilkins (16 Nov 1943 - 30 Dec 2020)

In loving memory of Christine Wilkins who sadly passed away on 30th December 2020

Christine was born in Stone, Staffordshire on 16th November 1943. She moved to Beeston shortly after the war, and lived at Heard Crescent. She attended Beeston Fields Primary School and Nether Street Girls School before doing a secretarial course at Beeston College.

Christine enjoyed youth work and was a cub mistress at 1st Breaston Cubs. She met Robert Wilkins, who was also involved in Scouting, and they married on 9th October 1965 at Christ Church, Chilwell. They set up home on Barrydale Avenue, and this would be the family home until 2018.

Christine worked in the office at Widdowson's in Beeston until January 1969 when she gave birth to her son, Steven. From that moment onwards, she devoted her life to motherhood, keeping house and looking after the family. Her daughter, Elaine, was born in January 1974.

Steven and Elaine joined 17th Nottingham BB and 30th Nottingham GB respectively, so continuing the family's commitment to youth work (Christine's dad was also a member of the Beeston Boys Brigade in the 1920s). Christine and Robert were often seen attending BB & GB parades, band competitions and pantomimes.

In 2000, Robert sadly passed away from lung cancer. Christine joined Chilwell Road Methodist Church (later to become Beeston Methodist Church) and became a welcoming steward and also provided pastoral support for members of the congregation. Her daughter, Elaine, married Peter Gray at the same church in 2001, and they settled in Bramcote. Steven married Karen in 2003 and after a few years in Redbourn (near St.Albans), they moved to Uttoxeter in Staffordshire.

Christine joined the Two O' Clock Club which is a club for the over 50s that meets at Beeston Methodist Church and made many friends. She also was a member of the Women's Fellowship at church, and regularly attended Tuesday morning communion and the Tuesday Luncheon Club that met once a month. In recent years, Christine also attended the annual Beeston Fields School reunions.

Christine became a Grandma in 2008, firstly to Robert and Tara, who Steven and Karen welcomed into their family. Elaine and Peter then announced the birth of their first daughter, Jasmine in December 2009, and Naomi followed in January 2014. Christine enjoyed being a grandma to her 4 grandchildren and they gave her a lot of joy.

A new chapter began in 2018 when, following 2 hip replacement operations, Christine decided to leave Barrydale Avenue after 52 years and move into a ground floor flat on Nether Street. The modern flat provided her with an easier way of getting around, and offered her independence in her advancing years. It was also situated opposite John Clifford Primary School, a school which Elaine had attended and was also located on the site of the Nether Street Girls School which Christine had attended - a wonderful link to her personal history.

Sadly, Christine was only able to enjoy a couple of years in the flat. After a very short illness in December 2020, Christine was admitted into Queens Medical Centre and was diagnosed with bowel cancer. She had an operation to try to remove the tumour, but sadly passed away on Wednesday December 30th 2020. Steven and Elaine were at her bedside at the end, and her passing was peaceful and without pain.

Christine will be very much missed by her children, grandchildren and many friends in Beeston and beyond. She was a much loved woman who always had a smile and kind words for everyone she met.

In recognition of the many years of support for the Beeston Boys and Girls Brigades, the family have requested donations for these organisations which now meet at The Pearson Centre. Cheques should be made payable to "The Pearson Centre for Young People".