I remember the last time I saw her. Maybe 20 years ago now. In the Care Home. She sat there oblivious to her surroundings, a stupid old woman sans everything as the bard would say. The staff treated her with disdain, just another annoying old patient. We forget that these silly old wrinklies weren’t always like that. Born in 1910 to a wealthy industrial family she had had somewhat of a golden childhood, summers on the riviera, winters in Switzerland, she was a child of the era of the bright young things.
She passed her matriculation for Cambridge, but never went because the family didn’t agree with universities for women. She was regarded as a striking beauty and with that and her vibrant personality she became known as the ‘It Girl’ of the town. In the slang of the time ‘It’ ment sex appeal. Instead of Cambridge she went to secretarial college to learn Gregg’s shorthand and touch typing. But she never really worked because she married in 1933 and in those days married women didn’t work.
There were no children and when the war came and my great uncle went off to war she trained as a motor mechanic and drove ambulances. When my great grandfather died he left the business to his son, daughters didn’t inherit, they were the responsibility of their husbands. They had a little business of their own, my great aunt and uncle, and had modest success until my great uncle died at 62 from a heart attack. My great aunt sold the business and lived on a modest pension until her mind started to wither away.
So, not just a silly old woman, someone who had had a long and fascinating life. So next time you see some doddery old fool, remember they weren’t always like that, and some day that might be you.
