Ode to a Rock Angel

A tiny child, the last of seven, another little mouth to be fed,
Grace grew into a lively girl; hard-working too it must be said.

A cheery personality who enjoyed a light-hearted joke,
Quick-witted and effervescent, her laughing eyes could provoke.
Always busy and energetic, Grace was no mild house-wife,
She was a gregarious lady, well suited to business life.

The talents Grace had were many. She loved music, dancing and to sing.
Given hammer and nails and a piece of wood, she would tackle anything.
Grace was good at skittles and darts, relaxing with Eric at the end of day,
She liked a game of cribbage or cards; with her grandsons she would play.

Unable to sit idle, Grace could crochet, sew or knit,
While charities and family would always benefit.
She loved to be in a garden, tending the plants as they grew.
She loved the British garden birds and grieved there are now so few.

Her friends and family will remember that Grace was a jolly good cook.
And a favourite place was the library; she enjoyed a cowboy book.

But the years eventually took their toll and life became a chore.
With strength and independence gone, she wanted life no more.

Grace surely was a special one.
I miss her now. I miss the fun.

Dinah Ashby van der Werf. 2007. (Another Rock Angel).

Note.

Mrs.Grace Ashby, was the widow of master-butcher Eric Ashby. She and her elder daughter Dinah were both born in Cromwell Rd. Rushden, an area known as The Rock.