Nan posing for Grandson with new camera
Marge was born Marjorie Irene May Trounce in 1922 to a service family based at Weymouth, Dorset.
When she later lived in Ilford, Essex she met Ron, her future husband when they both worked at Plessey's.
They married in 1942 and started married life in Romford, Essex.
The family moved to Bognor Regis in 1956 where Marge and Ron lived together until Ron died in 1999 after 57 years of marriage.
Rare ocassion driving a locomotive with Bill and Lisa in tow
Marge was loving and supportive. Her family was her life; her husband, her children, her grandchildren and her great-grandchildren. Her room in the nursing homes (Minehead and Cullompton) was full of family photographs and she used to wish each and every one of them goodnight. Her only surviving sibling is her youngest sister Pat who now lives in Australia. She is daughter Pat's namesake and Godmother.
Ruby Wedding anniversary
Marge felt robbed of celebrating 60 years of marriage and her family feel it is significant that she went to join Ron on 28 March 2003 - their wedding anniversary which would have been the 61 years.
Her illness over 35 years played havoc with her body. It would be difficult for others to imagine that she was an athlete in her younger days and that the high jump record she set while at school was not bettered for several years.
Her hands became totally disabled towards the end, yet she was always clever with her hands. She stitched theatrical costumes and dance dresses for her children. The family still has a tiny doll dressed in crochet clothes, including underwear and a bonnet tied in a tiny bow, all of which fits into a walnut shell.
Many years of illness were bravely borne and she would seldom admit to being in pain. Even when this was evident she would not complain.
Day at the track with Ron and Lisa
She supported the family in whatever they wanted to do. Ron was a keen model engineer and when the Chichester Model Engineer Club held barbeques and open days she could be found cutting and buttering mountains of bread rolls, then taking money at the gate or presiding over the tea urn. On one occasion the family holiday was taken at Dawlish Warren - which Ron declared would suit them both as Marge could have her deckchair facing the sea and he could face the railway line!
Marge and Ron on a train trip together in thought
Despite the hard work and long hours she enjoyed her work as one of the chefs at a local hotel. She was a brilliant cook. No good at passing on recipes though. Most of the time when asked how she made something, it was a bit of this, about that much of something else and just shake in the other until it looks right. It always turned out right for her!
Ron, Nan Romford, Bill, Marge and Lisa
She loved having family to visit and all her life love manifested itself in the groaning table. Affection, apart from cuddles and kisses meant hospitality.
1922-2003
Pat Brown and Steve Brown © 2003-2015. All rights reserved