In memoriam

Sian Thomas

12 December 1953 - 15 June 2023

Sian was a much loved, and longstanding, member of Catford WI. Sian’s contribution to our group was immense and her sudden death provoked an outpouring of tributes from our members.

One member spoke about Sian’s Father, a GP in Eastbourne, attending her as a child. Another mentioned that Sian had made a clothes prop for use in her garden which incorporated pieces from an earlier prop made by a family member. So many members spoke of her kindness and sense of humour and what good company she was.

Sian was a regular participant in Catford WI activities, regularly joining guided walks and many other trips and was a warrior in the Darts Teams

Sian was a supporter of many causes, an advocate for Men in Sheds and an enthusiastic member of the Penge East Community Centre Gardening Club who have dedicated an area of the garden to her memory. Sian always provided food and support to the neighbourhood stray cats and was a passionate supporter of environmental causes. She also volunteered at St Christophers hospice and worked at the Sense Charity Shop in Penge.

Sian’s interests in retirement reflected her working life, Sian achieved a diploma in Landscape Gardening from Greenwich University and worked as a Tree Officer for Bexley Council for 10 years.

 Grace Smith

12 January 1938 - 30 September 2020

When Grace first came to Catford W I, she appeared to be a frail, shy little lady. She was still in deep mourning for her beloved husband, Stan, and had been suffering poor health, often needing a wheelchair. Her G.P. was concerned about her wellbeing and had recommended that she join the W I. Within a few months of joining – although still very much missing Stan – her health had significantly improved, she was back to driving her car and had made friends: becoming everyone’s ‘Aunty Grace’, always sociable, and often offering a wise word. We always joked after that, by referring to ‘Catford W I – as prescribed on the NHS’!

She loved her home, her garden and Stan’s fishes (kept in a large pond in the back garden). She was frustrated that, although she looked after all these things carefully, she no longer had the physical strength to do all the things she wanted to do. Her two daughters, Linda and Mandy, both adored their Mother and were always willing to help out but Grace (proud and independent as ever), never wanted them to give up all their time to her. Some of us started to go round to help occasionally in the garden. This was always a very social occasion (and, I confess, I personally spent more time chatting with Grace, than actually working!). Grace was well-named, always graciously acknowledging any help she was given and we soon learned that when Grace said she would like you to come round for ‘a cup of tea’, so that it wasn’t just about working, it was never just a cup of tea: she would get out her best china, with matching napkins - and a very sociable time would ensue, with mince pies, sausage rolls and all the ‘accompaniments’!

On one occasion, a bad storm meant that her fishpond was damaged and Stan’s beautiful fish were under threat. Undaunted, she rescued the fish, who then had to live in the bath for a bit. Grace was embarrassed by this when people visited and used the bathroom but we joked that Catford W I could hold a ‘Pamper Day’ at her house, with ‘fish pedicures’ on offer.

She looked out for others, always keeping in touch by phone when she couldn’t get to Meetings. The then Chair of Kent-West Kent Federation of W Is always referred to her as ‘that lovely lady, who is the epitome of the W I’. Grace had apparently ‘button-holed’ her at one of Catford’s Afternoon Teas, to make sure that the Federation knew what the Committee were doing and how good her W I was. 

Grace never just looked back – she was always well-informed and a great conversationalist. She will be missed by all of us.

Dr Susan Robinson

27 August 1957 – 4 December 2013

Susan was a very popular and sociable member. She had the ability to take a group of strangers and make them into a group of friends and, more importantly, keep those friends with her throughout her life. Susan worked on the Committee in a number of different roles, right up to her death from the debilitating condition Scleroderma. She built up genuine respect and admiration, amongst our group: both for her work as a member of the Committee; and for her personality and the way this carried her through her long illness.

Lynne Horn

5 August 1960 – 29 January 2016

Lynne was only a member for a short time, but she made a big impact and will continue to be sorely missed.