Gladys Roberts

“Love’s last gift – Rememberance.”

Peacefully at Leighton Hospital knowing she was loved and cared for by her devoted daughter Maureen and son-in-law John, Gladys passed away on 10th November aged 95 years.

Gladys was born on 2nd September 1925 at Bromley Road in Congleton to proud parents Annie and Walter Brookes. She was the youngest of seven, three sisters, Annie, Emily and Maud and three brothers, Arthur, Ernie and Walter. It was not the easiest of childhoods but everyone was in the same boat and just got on with life.

Walter and Ernie were both in the army and Gladys desperately wanted to join the WLA but her dad refused to give her permission to. So from working in a pyjama factory, which later produced parachutes for the forces Gladys went on to work for Rolls Royce in Haslington.

Gladys and her husband to be Roy met at a dance, he rescued her from an over-amorous chap and the rest is history. They married on 18th December 1948. Being just after the war it was difficult to get hold of certain items, such as silk and other materials for a wedding dress so they made a trip over to Dublin, where you could buy most things on the black market. On the outward journey to Dublin Gladys was a very slim lady, however on the return trip she had become very plump! She had only gone and wrapped all the material around her waist and hidden it under her coat! But it was worth the risk, she ended up with the most beautiful wedding dress.

Sadly, Roy passed away in 1979, aged just 55 years. Gladys was only 52 at the time but she was able to get on with life, making many life-long friends. She kept living life to the full, going on many coach holidays, touring most of Europe. She also went on the holiday of a lifetime to Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Bangkok where she met many more friends with whom she kept in touch with long after.

Gladys was a wonderful grandmother, always wanting to look after her grandchildren, unbeknown to her daughter, Maureen, she would often let the boys stay up late and watch horror movies with her! Not only did Gladys love watching horror and cowboy movies she loved anything to do with sport. Particular favourites were snooker, bowls, darts and athletics but her all time favourite was tennis, Wimbledon was definitely a highlight of the year. She would even invite friends and neighbours round to watch the matches and they would party with strawberries and cream, fish and chips and even some bubbly! She also enjoyed meeting up with friends at Hardwick Court for a game of bingo and even into her 90’s she was still going to dances.

She was extremely proud of her three grandchildren, Mark, Gary and Matthew. She watched them grow up into fine, young men and make lives of their own alongside their respective partners, Angela, Luanne and Lisa. She was also extremely proud of her four great grandchildren, Jessica, Thomas, William and Jack.

Gladys will be sadly missed by all who knew her but she has left so many wonderful and happy memories throughout her life.

Her funeral will take place on Tuesday 24th November at St Michaels, Crewe Green followed by a Cremation at Crewe Crematorium.

Donations will be gratefully received for Air Ambulance in memory of Gladys.