Josie was born on 26 February 1932 in Woolwich, at the British Hospital for Mothers and Babies. That building may no longer be there, but the life that began there left a legacy that still surrounds us today—in the family she raised and the values she passed on.
Some of Josie’s earliest memories were of the house at 9 Anthony Road in Welling, where she moved when she was about five years old. It was a three-bedroom house, one of a block of four. Her brothers, Peter and Bernard, shared a room, while Josie had the little box room to herself—something she always remembered fondly. There was a long garden, a back alley, and five apple trees, all reminders of the orchard that had once stood there. For Mum, it was a place full of adventure and happy childhood memories. She and her brothers were a close little gang, and the boy next door was very much part of it too. The four of them were always together; and those early friendships and that strong sense of togetherness stayed with Mum throughout her life. The loyalty and closeness she learned in those years were qualities she carried into adulthood and into the family life she later created for herself.
During the war, Josie, Peter and Bernard were sent to Fetcham in Surrey for safety from the bombing. Josie always spoke of those three years as a wonderful time. She remembered the country air, playing in the woods, and collecting food for the animals her grandad kept. Even in uncertain times, she had a gift for finding joy in simple things, and that ability to make the best of life never left her.
But alongside those happy memories, Josie’s early life also knew hardship. Her own mum had been an orphan, raised without ever knowing her parents, and had grown up in a home in Sutton Coldfield before going into service, where she met Josie’s dad, who was a policeman. Later, after a serious accident during the war, he left the police, and not long after that, he left the family too. Josie was only about ten years old, and she never forgot the upset of that loss.
Josie loved school and had plenty of friends. She enjoyed being in lively company and often said she preferred being with the boys—where there was always fun, laughter, and a good time to be had. A big part of her teenage years was the Youth Club at St Stephen’s, where she spent much of her time with friends. They loved dancing, spending time together, and enjoying those carefree moments of youth that stay with a person for the rest of their life.
Josie began work at just 14, first in the big Lewisham store Chiesmans, and later in the office of a plumbers’ merchants in Bexleyheath, where she stayed until she married. Music was another great joy in her life. She loved singers such as Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Cleo Laine, and the Glenn Miller orchestra and she also had a deep affection for classical music.
Then, of course, came love. Josie met Frank at the church youth club. Frank had come over from Malta with his mum and sister Helen to visit his older sister Liz, planning to stay for only six months. But he found work, made friends, and built a life here. Josie was wonderfully direct and asked him on their first date because she had two theatre tickets and needed someone to go with. From that simple and straightforward beginning, a whole life together grew.
When they were courting, they spent much of their time at the youth club, which Josie always said she loved. Needless to say, the couple were married at St Stephen’s Church. More than anything, Josie wanted to be married and have children, and when she became a mother, it was clear that this was where her heart truly belonged. She was thrilled when she became pregnant with her third child, especially as she had hoped for a girl after two boys. She was overjoyed when she finally had her daughter.
The family in Malta prayed to St Rita for a girl, so Josie felt she had to name her Rita, even though the nurses were not keen on the name and wrote on the cot: “Rita—to be called Ruth.” Josie always said she did not know what she would do without her daughter Rita.
Josie never had much money, but she always made sure the children were cared for and fed with love. She could turn the simplest ingredients into meals they still remember with great fondness—sausage casserole, pasta dishes, stuffed hearts, liver and bacon. Nothing was ever wasted. And when it came to pudding, nothing could quite compare to her spotted dick cooked in the pressure cooker.
Josie worked incredibly hard all her life to make ends meet and provide for her family. She took on many jobs while raising her children, and that was no small thing. Before she retired, she worked in the pathology lab at Queen Mary’s Hospital. She also sewed handmade silk ties for Burberry and spent many years as a dinner lady at Pelham Road School in Bexleyheath. Whatever she did, she did with determination, strength, and a sense of purpose.
St Stephen’s Church was always a big part of Josie’s life. She made so many wonderful lifelong friends there through the St Stephen’s Drama Group (where her main role was making the costumes), the Monday Club, keep fit and the choir. They were so kind to her, giving her lifts to church, repairing things in her home and garden, going on days out and holidays with Jay and Kay Coach Tours. She had such a fulfilling life.
The 9.30 Choir was a big part of Josie’s life, meeting to practise, singing on a Sunday and catching up over a coffee. But Josie didn’t just go to St Stephen’s to socialise; her faith was very strong and in recent years she would be at Mass almost daily and was very committed to leading the rosary weekly.
Josie worked for 30 years fundraising for the Greenwich and Bexley Community Hospice but sadly she only got to spend 5 hours in the hospice before she passed away. She spent every Wednesday working in the shop sorting all the donations. Along with the Smiths and the Vines (formerly from the parish) she and Frank worked tirelessly at fundraising events, manning stalls, selling refreshments, preparing sandwiches, and so on.
Even until the last weeks of her life Josie never took any medication as she was in such good health and made all her meals from scratch. Josie was still attending Mass up until a few days before her death and sang in the choir over Easter.
Josie and Frank came from a generation that did not always show their feelings openly, but their children never doubted for a moment that they were loved, cherished, and deeply cared for. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends, but her memory will live on.
Rest in peace, dear Josie.