Robina Margaret Greig “Bunty”

“O Flower of Scotland, When will we see your like again”

Robina passed away on 12th December aged 91 years.

The beloved Wife of the late Donald.  Much loved Mum to David, Alistair & Graham. Also a cherished Grandma, Great Grandma, Mother in Law & Good Friend who will be fondly remembered and sadly missed by all her family & friends.

Her funeral took place on Wednesday 22nd December at Crewe Crematorium Chapel at 3.30pm

Kind donations in memory of Bonty are going to St Luke’s Hospice & Macmillan at Leighton Hospital.

For further information and to offer your condolences, please  telephone our Funeral Home on 01270 584447

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There is a crumb of comfort at this time of loss in that Robina, better known as Bunty, has enjoyed a long fulfilled life, has been able to live independently or semi-independently until she was 90, has only needed a care home this past year, and died peacefully in that care home – Cypress Court – after all her family members had been to make their final farewells. She saw her latest grandson – JAX – aged just 4 months then. Her physical body might have been failing, but her mind was clear as a bell, and she knew she was surrounded by love.

Bunty hailed from Aberdeen and that she relished her Scottish connections all her life. Her service card, the Scottish cord on the coffin and a beautiful Scottish song at the end of this service signal that. She had a special claim to fame associated with Aberdeen – she attended the same school as Denis Law, the Scottish footballer. Aberdeen had good memories for her. Her father, by the way, was a butcher – so plenty of meat to eat, even with rationing in place during the war!  Following her marriage in the 1952, she and Donald spent the first few years together in Aberdeen. But a well paid opportunity at Rolls Royce in Crewe enticed the growing family to move to these parts and so they joined the very many who came to live here from elsewhere because of work. Donald’s training as an upholsterer  made him a good choice as a trimmer. Bunty was later to spend most of her working life, like Donald, with Rolls Royce.

She and Donald never looked back, despite the fond Scottish memories – not just of meat, by the way. Bunty and Donald made many friends here and readily settled into the rhythm of the town. Living for most of the time on Ruskin Road, it was an easy walk along Nantwich Road to the NUR Club, the betting shop, and local food shops.  She and Donald were accomplished Ballroom dancers, and they also could jive pretty well. So lots of involvement in local venues and clubs.

She supported Crewe Alex, now her local team. She would attend all home games. She was knowledgeable about football, knew all the players’ names – even knew some well enough to have them round to the house.

So she made this town her home, joined in the life of the local community, helping to build community.

Some of her values were traditional, but nevertheless still worth cultivating. Careful use of money and resources might be one. Her standards and values are run-away winners when we really think about things.

Other values she lived by, and are worth cherishing, include the value of family, of family loyalty.  She and Donald were there for each other in a big way – they were a common sight walking arm in arm along Nantwich Road – but they were also there for their three sons, and they in turn have been there for her as she has got older.  She has cherished the numerous visits from her 7 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.  She has got on very well with her daughters-in-law. Then there have  been great family holidays – apart from Aberdeen there was Teignmouth, Spain, Portugal, Benidorm. Some winters she and Donald would spend many weeks  stopping abroad in the sunshine.

To be a good mother and grandmother, and great-grandmother is much more than a matter of biology, as I’m sure we all agree. Mothers are at the heart of loving relationships and the building of trust and goodwill. We know that fathers can also do these things, of course, but mothers almost by definition are closest to the action.

So when Bunty’s  sons, and grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, think about love and affection and relationships, they should remember what they learned about these things from  her. That love – that ability to give love, and receive love – is being cascaded down the generations.

Bunty was not just interested in close family. She had a gift for making friends. At first apprehensive about taking up residence in Pickmere Court, she soon decided life there was great. She made good friends, joining in enthusiastically with the various activities laid on.

But we mustn’t forget she not only loved people – she loved the horses! She loved having a flutter. We said earlier that the Bookies on Nantwich Road were very handy. We could add that if for some reason she couldn’t get there she would ask Graeme to put a bet on for her. There were also the trips to the races. When placing bets she didn’t study form. Rather, she chose horses whose names had some meaning for her – perhaps a Scottish name, or a name that reminded her in some way of someone she knew. Ironically while Donald did study form in great detail he typically used to lose his money, while Bunty would win!

Bunty’s ashes will be scattered where Donald’s are. This is a symbol of a greater reunion.  There may or may not be football or horse-racing up there, but that hardly matters if they are together again. Family hope to see them in that blessed state in due course again.

But for now Bunty leaves you have fragrant and uplifting memories. Perhaps those who knew her picture her as someone who always turned herself out well – casual but smart. Perhaps if you were one of her sons you remember getting a good telling off. She was not a push-over. But those are relatively minor in the bigger scheme of things. There is a great life story to be told.  Be better people for having been in her company.

May they both rest in peace.