In Memoriam - Lilian Waugh; 1929 - 2003The following address was given by Lilian's son Keith at her funeral on Thursday 8th January 2004 at St Michael & All Angels Church, Shefford:I want to reflect and pay tribute to my Mam:Born on the 4th July 1929 Lilian Dawson was the eldest child of Stanley and Anne Dawson. The family was completed over the -next few years by the arrival of Mam's two brothers Stanley jnr. and James, brothers she adored. They were the only two I know who could get away with calling my Mam
Lil. To everyone else it had to be Lilian, and with only one L in the middle. Life wasn't easy for the Dawson family in the small, close-knit mining community of Whitburn in the North East of England. Home was in Rose Crescent but childhood was interrupted by the devastation of World War two, which meant hardship and sacrifice. This only led to a deep resolve and family values that proved to be the cornerstone of my Mam's life. Mam attended Marsden juniors and then Whitburn senior schools before setting out on a working life. She first worked in the shipyard canteen but it will be her long association with the Economic buses that she is best remembered. In her free time she loved going to the cinema, wrestling, and of course there was her beloved Sunderland football club. When you originate from the North East football is in many ways a way
of life. Mam met and fell in love with Desmond Waugh. My childhood memories are plentiful and football was to play such a dominant role from the very beginning. Growing up in a family so rich with love the only divide was whether you were red and white, or black and white. Mam's influence won the day and I'm sure it was to my Dad's dismay that it was Sunderland rather than Newcastle. I've been reliably informed that I was only two when Mam took me to my
first Sunderland match at Middlesborough. The seeds had been sown. I can
vividly remember at a very young age being stood on a little wooden stool
on the vast open terrace, Mam at one side, my Grandma at the other, being
a part of the Roker roar. It was a joyous occasion in May 1973 for all Sunderland fans and Mam was there to celebrate us winning the F.A cup. She was so proud when I joined the club as an apprentice a few months
later. Without their guidance, encouragement and support anything I achieved
would have been impossible. Mam enjoyed simple pleasures in life but she
took enormous reward from their enjoyment. She was a great traditionalist
and a loyal supporter of the Royal Family. She took great pride in her
garden, loved socialising with friends and family and she loved organising
a yearly London trip for the ladies from Whitburn. This trip took a vast
amount of Mam's time and effort but it was always done with enthusiasm
and gusto. The annual November excursion down to the capital recently
celebrated its 30th anniversary This was done in typical style at The
Columbia Hotel and the presentation the girls made to my Mam as a token
of their appreciation was a wonderful gesture to the years of dedication
my Mam put in. This was all at a time tinged with the sadness that most of these occasions
could not be shared with her beloved Des. Not that he would hive been
at the Stadium of Light. A part of my Mam died along with my Dad on April 21st 1987. Mam moved to Shefford nearly eight years ago. It was a huge wrench to leave her home for over 60 years but the prospect of being close to her son and family was what was important to her. She was thrilled to become a Great Grandmother with the arrival of Elise and Leah. All who knew my Mam knew of her kindness, her generosity and her compassion. She possessed so many qualities that I am privileged to be her son. I owe her an enormous debt. She will be sorely missed, but never forgotten. |
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High Street Shefford Bedfordshire SG17 5DD
UK
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