Up The Farway Tree

Jenny Wilson   

Sadly Andrew's granny passed away on Wednesday 4th December, in the early hours of the morning.  She had reached the very respectable age of 94.   Fortunately myself and Andrew were there with her all evening - she was in a deep sleep but I am sure she knew we were there, holding her hand, and she looked very peaceful.

I have known Jenny for 13 years now, so I felt like she was my granny too!   She lived in Milngavie her entire life, so she was delighted when myself and Andrew moved to Milngavie nearly 9 years ago - buying a house in the very same street she grew up in.   It must have been comforting to think that her family had returned to her roots.  It also meant that we were accepted readily into the community - because everyone knew Jenny Wilson and Andrew was her grandson. 

I would often meet her walking in the town centre when we first moved to Milngavie.   Marching up the pedestrian precinct at a rate of knots, with her tweed hat and a determined look.   She seemed to know everyone she passed and they knew her.   She would always be keen to go for a coffee if we met and always ready for a wee slice of cake to go with it.   I remember her sitting in her big chair in the living room, surrounded by her crossword, various books, the phone (which she was frequently on!) - all piled up on what was supposed to be her zimmer ;-)  When myself and Andrew popped into visit we weren't allowed to make coffee until we had been there at least 40 minutes, just in case we left too soon haha!     I remember dropping in unexpectedly one morning to find her up on a chair cleaning out her top cupboards.  She was about 88 at this point!

We sometimes took her to the shops for a look around and she always amused me by her interest in nail varnish and pink lipstick.  She always looked immaculate and never really lost interest in her appearance.  For her 90th birthday we got her a hair appointment with the famous Taylor Ferguson in Glasgow centre - she has always talked about wanting to go there.  She loved every minute of it and looked amazing at her 90th party!

She had a very good sense of humour - very wry and often unexpected.  Nothing really got past her!  She had a feisty spirit and knew her own mind....and there was no changing it once it was made up.

Jenny was very independent until only a few years ago when her health began to fail.   She was still getting out on her own well into her late 80's and she really struggled with she could no longer do this.  She did manage to stay in her own home until the last couple of years, when she eventually moved into a nursing home.   I know she struggled with this change, because she had been so incredibly independant her entire life but the nursing home staff were excellent, and it was a relief for everyone to know she was being well cared for and felt safe.

In recent months she has been confined to bed but had been comfortable and settled.  Her body has been so strong and held on longer than anyone could have expected.   It is difficult in this lead up to Christmas to know that she is no longer with us, but I also like to think she is now reunited for Christmas with her husband Charlie, her own parents and her siblings.  She can have some party with them this year.... and we will raise a glass to her memory and know she is now at peace.