MUM
PHYLLIS IRENE LOVELL (NEE ELLIOTT)
05-07-1924
15-12-2008
DAVID JOHN LOVELL
Mums early years were one of struggle and endurance, mum often talked of her days during world war 2 where she had operated lathes making aircraft parts and engine components in a secret underground facility at Corsham, for the war effort. Growing up in Saint Philips marsh, mum became well schooled in her learning and had beautiful hand writing. She had learned all needle and knitting craft skills, and enjoyed music and dancing, indeed, she would often go dancing in the dance halls of those days, and was even taken aboard an American warship where she danced with the Admiral of the fleet which was docked at Plymouth. Mum survived the Bristol blitz, though it took all night for her and her friends to return home from the city centre, just a short walk from 'the marsh'.
After the war mum then worked for Mardon son and hall, a well established printing company. She worked in many departments, from stripping, through to cutting, and the glue department. She met husband Roy, who worked in the Saint Anne's board and paper mill next door to Mardons, at the bus stop, and they became a couple, before getting married and moving to Headley Park. Dad took a driving job. Mum did not enjoy Headley Park and so when a small council flat became available in a new estate, Hartcliffe, she took the offer and moved.
Mum and dad had us 3 children, my older brother Jeffrey, me, David, and my younger sister Marie. Mum would often knit clothes for us to wear, and would always be darning our socks. I remember mum had a boiler and mangle as her washing facilities for the family clothes, and was thrilled when dad got her the latest invention, a twin tub. Mum always had the radio on and loved listening to the latest pop tunes from the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, and 'The Move'. She was also familiar with the classical works of the great composers. Mum and dad then moved to 14A Grinfield avenue, a new 3 bedroom council house, and this was to be the family home for the Lovell's.
Mum was proud of all her children and would always make the effort to see us at school events such as the nativity play or music afternoon when I sang at Whitehouse junior school in a number of concerts. Mum worked hard at keeping a good home and her children clean and presentable, though often we would return not presentable at all. Mum and dad worked hard and we always had 1 week at Weymouth for our holiday, this was an immense achievement because mum and dad did not indulge in borrowing money. When mum took a part time job as home help, things became a little easier. Dad bought his first car, second hand of course, and continued to work as a lorry driver. At Christmas, all of mums skills came to the fore, clothes repairs, knitting, washing, cooking, and mum always gave the family a traditional English Christmas, with much of the vegetables grown by dad and kept stored by mum.
Mum always made the effort to engage in conversation with girlfriends or partners, none of them could ever measure up to mum. Mum enjoyed all the television treats of the day, and particularly enjoyed watching a musical as these films of old appeared in her living room. Seven wives for seven brothers, the south pacific, the sound of music, so many that she had seen in her younger years. Sean Connery as James bond was a particular favourite, and perhaps a nod at her Scottish ancestry on her parents side.
Mum also had a great sense of humour, and would even stay up late to watch Euro trash or Bo Selecta, and if I were to play some modern music mum would often dance around in the kitchen, much to my amusement and surprise. Mum also had the ability to impersonate a person, and would often do a take on somebody if conversating about a particular person or moment. Mum enjoyed a very active social life often going to dances at the local community centre where she would dance routines old and modern, indeed, I even took mum to see her favourite group, Status Quo, at the Colston hall. Such was her drive.
Mum also loved animals and we always had pets, from goldfish, to rabbits and even a cat adopted by my sister Marie. Mum always fed the birds in the garden. Mum always gave to charity and gave very generously to the world wildlife fund. She always proudly showed me the letters of thanks the fund sent her, and show off her latest animal calendar.
She will be greatly missed by all, but never forgotten.
