Farewell Granny

Today, Tuesday 5th January 2021 at 12.30 we had Granny's Funeral at Chichester Crematorium.  

Due to Covid lockdowns and restrictions the numbers in attendance were to just a few people.  We were unable to be there from New Zealand but I managed to arrange a webcast so we could be there online.  

She had requested Nessan Dorma to be playing upon arrival and at the end.  I chose a piece of music 'Angel' by Libera to be played in the middle of the service.  This was by the same choir that was played at our wedding. 

The following was read out at the service. 

A Tribute to Rose Emily Stiles by Granddaughter Kate. 

 

This is for Rose, Granny Rose, Rosie or Tick.  We have all been lucky enough to have her as part of our lives.  To say she was a special person is simply not giving her justice. 

 

Her love for family and friends was unlimiting, always there to offer assistance and join in the fun.  Her wicked sense of humour and cheekiness will continue to bring a smile to our faces even now she is gone. 

 

Born in 1921 at Westmark Farm, Petersfield, she was brought up there by her grandparents and cousins, a place that she loved, a farming life, fresh country air, home grown fruit and vegetables, milk straight from the cow and full fat butter.  This provided the platform for Rose’s remarkably healthy life, rarely suffering any illnesses or aches and pains until her final few years. 

 

Many people knew her as ‘Tick’.  This nickname originated from her love of listening to the tick of her grandfather’s pocket watch. And the name stuck with her for life. 

 

She married Keith in the early 40’s and had Clifford at the end of the war. 

Keith and Rose took over the Stiles’ Family Fruit and Veg Shop in Lavant Street, Petersfield.  Rose showing her true talent in running the business and keeping track of the finances.  Memories in later years of her handbag full of multiple purses, money allocated for all different things included her kitty for her gin rummy card games with the family at weekends and sister Joan when she came to visit.  

At the shop she loved designing the shop front window displays which were winners in competitions.  This flare for design came into its’ own again when she later worked at Stoke Fruit Farm, helping to design and create the carnival floats each year.  

 

Rose had always been a strong and recognised character within the community of Hayling Island, never able to go into the village without bumping into someone she knew. 

 

Following the death of Keith in 1977, Rose returned for a short time to Petersfield but knew her heart belonged to Hayling.  She lived in a new home in Southwood Road before eventually settling, for the last 30 years, at Mariners Court on the seafront.  

 The following 2 decades Rose, or should we say Granny Rose, spent the weekends up at Steep Marsh with Cliff, Alix and Granddaughter Kate.  She was always there to join in the family fun, be it with the horses, sleeping in the caravan around the field, playing cards or whipping up a batch of pastry for an apple pie.  Dinner was never without a pudding!

Granny’s favourite time of year had to be Christmas.  She would arrive at Petersfield with a car stacked high with presents to excess.  We have clear memories of her on her hands and knees rummaging around under the tree feeling all the presents like an excited child and just couldn’t wait to get them all opened before 9am on Christmas morning.  

She was always of the practical mind, any problem she seemed to have a solution, such as opening a stuck jar lid by putting on a pair of rubber gloves.  Her love of flowers could not be disputed, her garden always being full of colour. People could not walk past her flat at Mariners Court without noticing the triumphant display of blooms being grown in the shingle between her flat and the beach.  She is the only person we know who could keep a Christmas Poinsettia alive and growing all year round.  

 

Nothing got passed Granny Rose.  She loved to know all the gossip of Hayling and the world at large and her interest in life, we believe, helped her to stay young.  She kept her brain active with puzzles from the newspaper daily and walks out along the prom waving to the people she knew.  

 

At the age of 86 she made the momentous trip over to New Zealand to visit Kate and husband John and stayed 6 weeks in Rotorua.  She wrote a diary throughout her visit which she regularly referred to in future years.   

 

Her biggest joy in the final 8 years of her life was the birth and growing up of her great granddaughter Mya.  Although living in New Zealand, Mya and Kate visited the UK on 3 separate occasions to spend time with Granny Rose and Clifford.   Mya and Granny had a very special bond.  In between those visits Granny was kept up-to-date with regular phone calls and photos of Mya’s antics and achievements.  Mya shares Rose’s love of life and quick wittedness and will keep her memory alive far into the future. 

Granny survived through to her 99^th Birthday, some say it was a wonderful innings but none of us were ready to say goodbye.  She was the type of character who will always be a presence within our lives and will be held close within our hearts.  

 

Rest in peace Granny.