Mary's story: (Mary and
Sammy - Blue mountains NSW Australia)
I was born Mary
Rigby, the second child of four to John and Georgina Rigby. We lived in the
Ditton area of Widnes. My two brothers are Joseph (older) and John and the
youngest is my sister Thérèse.
I attended St. Michael’s School in Ditton at the same time as Jim. 1955 - 1959,
I remember this school as a happy place, teachers included Miss Dobson (I think
she went on to become a nun) and Mrs Ollier, she used to come to school on her
bike as I remember, Mr Fallows who later married Miss Hughes. Mr Forkins I also
remember and when my kids were at Junior school, a student teacher worked there
who turned out to be his daughter. It's small world.
My school friends were Pat Kenwright, Maureen Davis, Diane Booth, Winnie
Chambers, Elizabeth Freeman and Joan Flewitt (who moved to St Bede's, though we
caught up again at Fisher More), the boys were Jim and Frank of course, also Bob
Berry, Eric Prescot, Christopher Hanvey, Keiron Morris and Cyril Hughes.
I remember one embarrassing moment when a school visitor asked what we were
sewing, I was too embarrassed to say, Miss Hughes said "they are making a pair
of panties", we were, can you believe Flannelette ones!
Moving on to SS Fisher & More secondary school, I remember Mrs Redmond, Mr Rowe,
Miss Tilly who went on to be Mrs Colford and Miss Farrell. Miss Dundon was the
headmistress. The teacher I remember best has to be Mr Cregan, he was such a
great teacher, he made schoolwork really interesting and enjoyable.
I have lived and worked in places such as Buckinghamshire and London. Returning
perhaps, as Jim says, because "home" does draw you back.
My husband Sammy Hines and I were married August 3rd 1974 and we moved to St.
Helens where I still live. We have two children, Vicki (married to John) and
Bobby (married to Tracy). I currently have five lovely grandchildren, Little
Charlie who is Vicki and John's first child (they are expecting their second in
May 2008 ), Samuel, Declan, Ashlea and little Millie are Bobby &
Tracy's children.
Sadly, my husband Sammy passed away suddenly in December 2000.
I love to travel, especially Australia, my last trip to Australia in 2006 was to
attend a family wedding, whilst I was there I met up with a couple of girls from
Fisher More, Gaynor Glynn ( now Knox) who lives in Ipswich and Vera Cassidy (now
Branigan) who lives in Loganholme, both Queensland. It was lovely to see them
again after such a long time. I also went on holiday to Turkey with another
friend whom I hadn't seen in over forty years, Geraldine came over from New York
and it was great to catch up after so many years.
I love using my computer, it has been invaluable with family history research
and even more helpful in making contact with and keeping in touch with my family
and many old friends now living around the world.
I love to take photographs of anything and everything and of course especially
my grandchildren. I am in touch with several people now through the Fuji
website, entering competitions and exchanging advice on their forums and
learning new photo editing skills, which is great.
This year is a big one for us kids from St Mikes, as we will all turn 60 years
old. Hopefully Jim will still have this website going when we are 70 and beyond.
Mary Hines - January 2008 |
