Eulogy for Elsie May Radford, given by Reverend John Pulman at Chesterfield Crematorium, Saturday, March 16th, 2013. Elsie May Ball was born on 6 December 1934 on 10 Gilcroft St. in Skegby. Her father, Herbert was a Railway Lengthman. Her mother was Ada Lilian Ball, formerly Staves. Elsie had two brothers, Richard and Henry, and a sister, Kathleen. She attended school locally and went to work at 14 years of age at Grooms, the blouse factory in Huthwaite. Howard, one of the local lads in Stanton Hill, caught her eye, and it was love at first sight. Friends remember Elsie and Howard as a vibrant, fun-loving couple who were known for dancing the jitterbug together. Their wedding took place on 22 March 1958 at St. Mary’s and they were very happily married for 49 years.

Elsie left Grooms upon discovering that she and Howard were about to have a much-wanted child. Their first son, Gary was born in 1961 and Mark followed eight years later in 1970. Her life from that moment centered on their care and making a loving home for them. She was a proud mom and wife, fully devoted to her sons and to Howard, and was a dedicated daughter who took loving care of her mother.

Her daily routine included shopping in Sutton town center, where she often met up with many of her friends. When Gary went away to college at Sheffield, she went back to work in Lander’s bakery in Sutton, to help him complete his degree.

Elsie enjoyed cruising around the Mediterranean and visiting Majorca with Howard. She liked to travel to America to visit her granddaughter Meg, son Gary, and daughter-in-law Marie in New Jersey. When Meg was born, Elsie came to America for the first time in 1990 to hold her in her arms when she was only 6 weeks old. Elsie and Howard fell in love with New York City, especially seeing Broadway musicals, cruising around the island of Manhattan, and experiencing a NY Yankees baseball game in Yankee Stadium in the Bronx. Elsie returned for Gary’s graduation, Marie’s graduation, and, years later, for Meg’s High School Graduation. Even though Elsie was separated from her family in America by a great distance, there was a strong family bond that was nurtured by frequent phone calls and annual visits. Elsie was amazed when she was recently able to Skype with Meg and got a virtual tour of Meg’s college apartment.

Elsie was known for being true, loyal, and, above all, for always thinking of others before herself. She had a warm smile and a playful nature. It is of comfort to us all to know that once again she is together with her beloved Howard. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Elsie passed away at her home and leaves her sons, Gary and Mark Radford, her daughter-in-law Marie Radford, her brother Henry Ball, and her Granddaughter Meg Radford. Mourners were Mr. G. Radford, Mr. M. Radford, Mrs. M. Radford, Ms. Meg Radford, Ms. C. Harris, Mrs. L. Wilcock, Mr. and Mrs. H. Ball, Mr. W. Flook, Mrs. G. Ball, Mr. and Mrs. D. Garbett, Mr. and Mrs. M. Holmes, Mr. and Mrs. G. Walvin, Mr. Darren Ball, Ms. V. Slack, Mr. & Mrs. A. Taylor, Ms. H. Ball, Mr. T. Wright, Mr. P. Ball, Mr. & Mrs. Dennis Ball, Mr. & Mrs. J. Barnard, Mr. & Mrs. G. Marsh, Mr. S. Wright, Mr. N.A. Clarke (rep Mr. P. Chadbourne), Mr. & Mrs. B. Harris, Mr. R. Barnard, Ms. M. Pritchard, Mr. P. Archer, Ms. F. Tagg. Floral tributes were from close family and donations from family and friends were for the Specialist Palliative Care Service and Macmillan nurses at the John Eastwood Hospice. The service was conducted by the Rev. John Pulman and arrangements were by Ken Gregory and Sons.