(BABS) 1920 – 2005
Babs, as she was known to all of us, was a very special and contented independent lady, who
did not ask much from life. With a lively mind full of new ideas, new slants on old
questions and a wacky lively sense of humour, she had many friends and acquaintances in
Chipperfield and around the world. She met many of these on her strolls to the village,
always remembering to ask about their families, sharing their joys and sorrows, honouring
birthdays and Christmas with simple but memorable gifts (hand dried seeds). Nothing was
ever too much trouble if she could help, by giving good advice or feeding the cat while you
were away, you would return to a lively welcome home note.
Visiting Babs was a joy in itself, she was a mine of information on every subject from the
moon and stars to herbs and gardening, but she always had time to listen and ponder on the
ways of life. Babs had endless talents and interests from her love of books, music,
dressmaking, knitting and her wonderful historical drawings. She had collected boxes of
historical information and had intended to write a book at some point, she was ingenious in
her creations. She gave and taught so much.
One of Babs’ greatest delights was her garden, feeding the birds and wildlife, seeing the
foxes and badgers dancing in Mick and Marie’s garden, growing plants and seeding. It gave
her so much pleasure to give these plants she had grown to friends and neighbours. So I’m
sure that for most of us, all we will have to do, is to look at our gardens to remember
her.
So good-bye Babs and thank you.
Diane Strawbridge