Madeline Pennance

(Born in Kirkdale, West Derby, Liverpool on 4 April 1914

(Died in Hillcroft Nursing Home, Carnforth, Lancs on 19 May 1998

Madeline Pennance was the seventh child of a family of eight and was always known to family and friends as "Madge". It is well to note that her mother was also the seventh child in her family. We often wondered how she always knew what we were up to, but she obviously had 'second sight' and demonstrated her uncanny prescience on a number of occasions.

Most of her family had great musical talent - 2 brothers played violin and double bass, one sister had an operatic voice, and Madeline achieved a "cap and gown" as a classical pianist. Their musical get-togethers could have been serious affairs, but were usually a mixture of magic and hysterical fun!

Madeline was destined for a career in music, but economic circumstances made this an impossible dream. As the youngest daughter in her teens, she was needed to nurse her Mother.

Madeline eventually went to secretarial college where she further excelled herself. In her first job at Vernons Pools, she quickly rose through the ranks to become personal assistant to the Managing Director. She was much appreciated, respected and admired by her colleagues. This was only too apparent when she got married, her wedding present from the 'boss' was a Bluthner baby grand piano! Oh, she so cherished her piano. For many years every succeeding house had to be able to accommodate this treasured gift. I can visualise the removers heaving and pushing and Mother closely supervising the operation. Oh, not to be a removal man!

In 1937, when Madeline was 23 years old, she married Francis Eric Pennance, then 27, in St George's Church, Maghull. Frank was a district inspector for the then Home and Colonial Stores Group - now better known as 'Safeways'.

Probably the happiest times of her life were the carefree early years in Shrewsbury with her husband Frank, and baby daughter, Madeline born on 6th August 1938.

During the war years, she looked after her home, the baby, and even took a refugee under her wing.

Her next move was to Crewe where she took on the task of nursing her Mother-in-law Alice Dawson until her death. She then went on and cared for her Father-in-law Frederick George Pennance.

Frank's job then took him up to County Durham and the family moved up to the village of Croft Spa near Darlington. It was here that Madeline and Franks' two sons were born, Philip on Boxing Day in 1949, soon to be followed by Maurice in May 1952.

Tragically on 20th August 1956, Madeline's husband Frank died from a heart attack at the early age of 46 and she was then faced with the daunting task of providing for their 3 children. She met this challenge with enormous courage and worked exceedingly hard for many years to give them a good start in life. An otherwise gentle and timid soul - Madeline would fight like a tigress in defence of her family. These were undoubtedly difficult and lonely times for Madeline. She missed Frank and his delightful sense of humour. His passing left a deep mark of sorrow on her soul, but she had to get on with life - and it was not easy. A National Insurance document dated 22nd August 1956 states

"The insurance officer has decided that you are entitled to a widow's allowance of 55 shillings a week from 21st August, together with an increase of 15 shillings a week for the children Philip Francis and Maurice James, and of 25 shillings a week from 2nd October 1956"

Always active, full of energy, and willing to tackle any task with great enthusiasm, she encouraged her children to do the same. Some years after her husband's death, Madeline moved the family to the South of England where she was able to command a higher salary for her considerable secretarial expertise. She worked for many years at the College of Estate Management in London and later took a job nearer to home.

Her determination and courage showed through when in the latter part of the 1960's, Madeline suffered a series of strokes which left her partially paralysed and for a while speechless, (an unusual thing for Madeline). However, she fought hard against this set back and recovered both full mobility and, if anything, increased her powers of speech!

Madeline retired to live on the Isle of Wight in 1969 and frequently visited her sister Gertrude who lived a few miles away. Her children had flown the nest and were busy with their own lives but they visited as often as possible.

By 1986 it had become apparent to all her children that Madeline would be unable to continue living alone without support for very much longer. Her health was declining but with her characteristic determination, she doggedly fought for her independence. After much persuasion, she did eventually agree to move nearer one of the family and in 1987, with the help of the family, she moved into a small flat in Lancaster near her son Maurice.

Over the next decade Madeline's health declined slowly but surely. Maurice was stalwart in his support of her independence and her rights and would help her fight for the support she needed to live independently. Just before Christmas in 1996, Madeline was taken to hospital suffering from pneumonia and for a while it was not certain that she would survive but again she displayed her inner strength and got over the worst. It was clear though that, even with maximum support, she would no longer be able to fend for herself at home. She was admitted to Hillcroft nursing home in early 1997 where she remained until her death on the 19th May 1998.

She would have liked to live to be 100, but despite her willpower, we knew her heart was not physically strong. Nevertheless it was a BRAVE HEART.

Madeline fought many battles for her right to independence. She valued her home and the opportunity to close her own front door.

Madeline always enjoyed a laugh and a good giggle. She was quick witted and had a great sense of humour and could give as good as she got!

She loved to see her sons, daughter and grand-daughters, and always took great delight in what they were doing, both at home and abroad.

People who needed help knew that they could count on her support. Time without number, she was there for them. She always found the time to listen to their troubles, no matter how great her own.

Throughout all her life Madeline acted with great dignity. She would so love to be remembered as a dear mother and a proud, independent lady - and she will be.