Penny was also the founder, company director and retired nursery nurse of Pine Rivers Kindergarten and Day Nursery at 5 Western Elms Ave, Reading, England. She managed the nursery with infinite detail, everything she did was to the direct benefit of the children that attended.
Mum was so proud of her children that in her dying months she had a picture of each of us made, and put it on display in a place of dominance, where everyone would see it when entering the building.
I know many people in Reading that knew of, attended, or had children who had attended the nursery. Her name was strong in the industry and for over 45 years she was in charge.
I grew up in this wonderful family home, with the nursery underneath and I have many, many beautiful memories.
Those of you who knew my mother knew she managed the nursery from the little cabin she lived in, at the back in the garden. She also made a private secret garden, solely for the use of the family and grandchildren, all based on the wonderful novel.
Initially mum started the nursery some 45 years ago, and for any business survival of that length is a wonderful effort. Heather and Julie, my older sisters both played a pivatel part as nusery nurse directors for some 30 years plus, while my youngest sister, my brother and I finished our schooling. In the last few years, though in some pain, she not only managed the nursery with the help of the youngest daughter, but also walked the coast line of England raising money for life boats RNLI.
My mum left this world and as she did she made it clear to her children that we must celebrate the exciting things that she had in her life. She left us hoping that the company would abide by her dying wishes of sharing the directorship between loving brothers and sisters. She left us in fits of laughter, it was never about mum, she just wanted everyone to be happy.
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| Image by Leanne Valerie Smith |
Thank you all for your time in reading this.
