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An edited version of the address Gary gave at Edna’s Funeral Service in St Alban’s in January:
Edna was born in Chandos Street, in the middle of Old Southampton, in November 1918, just after the end of the First World War - and what a different world it was into which she was born.
She grew up in this area, being confirmed at Highfield Church, before this Church was opened in 1933 - and she was one of the few people still alive who could remember the opening of this Church.
In 1941, here in St Alban’s, she married Frank, a glider pilot who went missing in France just before the end of the War in 1945, and just a month or two before Gillian was born.
And then again here, at the St Alban’s Players, she and John met - all the Paynes were involved in the players, and Edna came because her mother told her she might meet someone here - which she did.
So began their long and happy partnership.
They married here in 1950, and continued their long association with the Church - including the wonderful celebrations of their 60 years of marriage, and the dedication of the lovely altar frontal which John and Edna donated as a thanksgiving.
After their marriage in 1950, four more children came along - Brenda, Diane, Ian and Nigel, first in Millbrook, and then coming back to Bassett in the early 1960s to care for Edna’s parents - which she did until they died.
There are lots of very happy memories of their family life during the years they were all growing up.
There were holidays, weeks in a caravan, and trips to Maidstone to see Gillian and Malcolm, and Edna’s’ cooking - especially her cakes, pastries and famous bread pudding.
For a while she worked as a dinner lady, partly to pay for Gillian and Malcolm’s wedding.
They moved to the shop in Midanbury for a number of years, and then, in 1977, to the bungalow in Pycroft Close - a sort of retirement for Edna from all her involvement in the shop where she was very involved - and John came home each day for lunch, always including a pudding, always with custard, and a short nap, before his afternoon’s work.
About 20 years ago John retired, so that he and Edna could spend more time together - and so began a new chapter in their lives.
They had already travelled a little - but when Edna, in an unguarded moment, agreed to fly, they were off - America four times, cruises, Mediterranean islands, lots of wonderful holidays.
And then, finally, in 2003, they moved to Elizabeth Close at West End, where they have been very happy for the past few years.
As well as family and work, they had time and energy for all sorts of other things - including the Bowling Club, where John and Edna were both presidents in 1987, and where they had so many good friends.
Edna won the Ladies’ Championship a number of times - and was probably a better bowler than John - to his annoyance!
The past few years have, of course, been more difficult ones.
First John’s illness, and all the wonderful care Edna gave him during that time - supported by the family around them.
And then soon after John died, it became apparent how ill Edna herself was.
Again, she had tremendous care from the family, and from medical staff, and she faced her illness bravely and cheerfully - especially when it became apparent that no further treatment could be offered.
She was, as we say, ‘Ready to go!’
She told us that she wanted to go before her birthday in November, and then again before Christmas, but it wasn’t until the New Year, after a lovely Christmas with different parts of the family, and a week or so staying with Diane and her family, and a couple of difficult days at The Countess Mountbatten Hospice, where she received wonderful care, that she died peacefully.
Edna will be remembered for many things - her lovely, bubbly personality; her laugh, which could be heard several doors away when the windows were open and she was enjoying a comedy programme on television; her love and care for her family, all the way through her life, to all the different generations - her siblings and parents, her husbands, her children, and the ever-increasing number of grandchildren and great grandchildren; her gifts of friendship and cheerfulness; and her faith, and long connection with this Church, which sustained her during her life.
So, we give thanks to God for Edna, and remember her in his care.
We give thanks for all the love and care she both gave and received, especially during her last illness - the family have been absolutely dedicated in looking after her.
We give thanks for the memories of her which we shall treasure, and will give thanks for all that she has given to so many people during her wonderfully long life.