Ivy Bessie McCaffrey ¹

  General Notes:

Ivy Bessie. Eldest daughter of Hugh John Thomas and Ethel McCaffrey. Wife of Cyril Percy Holt. Sister to Joan Andrews and Hugh John Blundell McCaffrey.
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A funeral service was held for Ivy Bessie at Barwick-in-Elmet "All Saints" Church. Leeds on Monday 22 ND. November 1999; but by her own request, her remains were not buried in Church ground, but taken to a crematorium. Apart from her daughter and family, the Andrew's side of the Family were represented by: Mrs. J. Garner (Nee Joan Andrews) Mr. & Mrs. A Tongue (Nee Mavis Andrews). Mr. & Mrs. Malcolm Andrews. Mr. & Mrs. Philip Andrews and Robert Andrews. Ivy was well known in the village and was held in high esteem. Some of the nurses who attended to her in Seacross Hospital Leeds also took time out to attend along with some friends from Darlington where she lived most of her married life. She is survived by two grand children Clive and Craig Nottingham and their families. The Vicar "Roger Wild" (who was a personal friend) wore white vestments normally used for weddings. Ivy's last earthly performance was played out to a full house (of God).
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The following eulogy which was read by Roger Wild, Vicar of "All Saints" Church. Barwick-in-Elmet. Leeds. Yorkshire on Monday 22nd.November 1999. While every effort was made to faithfully record fully in detail what was spoken, there may be minor errors.

Ivy Holt 1910 - 1999

Mum was born at Larkfield near Maidstone in 1910. She and her parents removed to Stockport in Cheshire when she was very young. Her first memory was waving good bye to her father when he re joined his Regiment, 1st. Battalion Grenadier Guards just days before the outbreak of the 1st. World War; he was in France when war was declared.
Her second momentous memory was the birth of her sister Joan on her 7th. Birthday, apparently she was not at all impressed with her birthday present!
When she was in her early 20's she went on holiday with a girl friend to the Isle of Man, quite literally she fell over the feet of the man who was later to become her husband. A real holiday romance! It was on this same holiday that she received a telegram announcing the birth of her brother John,
After my parents were married they lived in Stockport where they kept the Grapes Hotel. Not a good thing to do during the depression, so my father and mother left Cheshire for County Durham. After a short time in Consett, they moved to Darlington where they lived for many years. Dad died in 1968.
For almost 20 years Brian and I shared our home with mum, she was a very thoughtful lady, never intrusive or demanding. She was also very generous, someone to laugh with and a shoulder to cry on. Above all, she gave an endless supply of love, not just to me, but to her family and her many friends.
Her anticipation on Friday mornings as she waited for her weekly letter from her beloved sister Joan was infectious - even the postman caught it - he would apologize if he was late on Friday's. Mum would put her crossword puzzle aside until the letter was read, it would be read many times before the next letter arrived.
She adored her young brother John and was his second mother to him. To her grandsons Guy and Craig she was simply magic.
Mum was blessed with a simple and abiding faith in God. This service has been arranged as she planned. The music Bernard plays and the Hymns that we sing were chosen by her.
Friends and family have traveled far from Welshpool, Oswestry, Bedford, Lancashire and Darlington to day to join her newest friends from this lovely village, which became her home.
Mum would have been tickled pink that you have taken the trouble to attend this service, as she was red-hot with her pleases and thank you's. The only thing left for me is to say thank you all for sharing in today's service of thanksgiving for the life of my mother, Ivy or Gran, as she was affectionately known.
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Both Ivy and her sister Joan were married at Christ's Church. Heaton Norris. Stockport. Cheshire. England. An old imposing Church with a tall steeple, massive front doors overlooking Wellington Road North, to the rear it overlooked a valley where the main town of Stockport (Stock-Port. River Mersey) is situated. Recently (Year 2000) the main part of the Church has been demolished leaving the Front entrance doors and some stained glass windows as a facade. To the rear is a small modern Church.
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Re the Springfield School Badge worn both by Ivy and Joan. Definition of: dare pondus fumo: To give weight to smoke; to impart value to that which is worthless; to attach importance to trifles.
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L.D.S. Entry 397942 CD 28
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Ivy married Cyril Percy Holt on 21 Nov 1933 in Christ Church. Heaton Norris. Stockport. Cheshire. (Cyril Percy Holt was born on 25 Feb 1907 in 18 Dunsbu Street. Scunthorpe. Lincoln and died in 1968 in Darlington. County Durham. England..)

  Marriage Notes:

When Ivy Bessie got married she was living at 15 Oxford Street. Stockport. Cheshire. Cyril Percy was living at 97 Sheffield Street. Crosby. They were Bachelor and Spinster. The witnesses were George Bernard Sykes (known as Bunny Sykes) a Stockport Borough Police Officer. Enid Beatrice Rayfield. Ivy's mothers sisters daughter. Entry 11. November 21st. 1933. The Parish Church. Christ Church. Heaton Norris. Stockport in the County of Lancaster. No rank or profession was shown for Ivy, but Cyril was a Roll-turner. The Curate (Parish Priest) was Allen Sutcliffe.
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