I grew up in the late forties/early fifties hearing tales of our family in Canada - of my Granddad's sister emigrating to start a new life after World War 1, and then, during World War 2 of Ernie coming to England and, being in active service and having only his uniform, going to the pub wearing Reg's suit .....and then the stories ended. We had lost touch with our Canadian side of the family until my Granddad died in December 1964 and, sorting through his father's 'affairs, my Dad (Jimmy) came across an address: 39 Falaise Street, London, Ontario. He sat down and wrote a letter ... and Marg replied.... and so began a new relationship with our Canadian kinfolk. Jimmy wrote to his cousin Marg for almost thirty years. In 1974 he visited Canada and met up with Marg and Ernie, and Alice and Joe, and he came back having had a wonderful time and with enthusiastic tales of Mardell & Jim's 'den' - very impressed he was with this 'pub in the basement' with baseball caps on the wall. And he returned bearing gifts - a Moose beer jug for Derek, nightie for my mother and handbag for me - the latter selected by Marg, my dad said. A couple of years later, Aunt Alice and her friend Marion visited England and we thoroughly enjoyed their company. My Dad cherished the connection with the Canadian side of our family, which was sustained by his correspondence with Marg. (And for nearly a decade Dee and I corresponded). When we visited in 1989 he was delighted because, as he saw it, this was a way of keeping our relationship alive. Our flights were seriously delayed because of bad weather and yet, when we emerged bleary-eyed from customs and scanned the many people waiting, my eyes met those of Becki and we recognised each other instantly although we'd never met before - the 'family connection' was there. We arrived at Ernie and Marg's home to a fabulous roast beef dinner - we were 4 hours late and the beef had been in and out of the oven a number of times - but she took it all in her stride and, only later, did we discover they had bought a new sofa bed for us. Of course, after so many years, we were delighted to meet them in the flesh - we loved their company, warmth and sense of humour. I shopped with Aunt Marg and she 'advised' me on earrings to suit my style, "These are 'sharp' " she said - and, of course, she was right. Aunt Marg was stylish and sharp down to her fingertips: heck! Even her handwriting was stylish! The years rolled on, my Dad died, Aunt Marg got older and Mardell took over the correspondence, keeping us up to date with things. Our last correspondence was a card last Christmas where she gave us the latest family news and her health situation, and ended with "There's still life in the old Mare yet". Then, in the spring this year we were thrilled to meet Mardell, Dee, Jodi, Becki, Riley and Maggie and spend an afternoon with them in Cape Canaveral, Florida – a truly magical coincidence. In the autumn we were sorry to miss Jim & Sherry Grant when the passed through London. But we hope the family contact is now secure as we raise our hearts and glasses in celebration of a real and dear Lady and to continue our trans-Atlantic family connections in her honour! Mary and Derek Oxfordshire, England
