Ivy (Smith) Thomson

Ancestors

Descendants

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Biography

Ivy Thomson was born in 1910 in Essex. ^[1] Her parents were William and Lydia. William was an instructor at the Army Cadet School at Felsted School. He had grown up in London but Lydia had been born and raised in the countryside of Essex.

When she was a girl Ivy cycled 13 miles to school every day, and enjoyed Hockey. Despite growing up in rural Essex she really enjoyed city life and shopping.^[2]

Ivy met Ben Thomson when he visited his Aunt in Felsted. They married in 1932 in Essex. ^[3] Ben and Ivy had 2 children. They lived in Hammersmith as Ben was an accounts clerk who became a successful company director.

Having 2 very young children in London during the war caused her anxiety and Ivy developed agoraphobia. The whole family helped her overcome it, which she did. Ben bought her a dog, a poodle, Zerena, which she had to walk. Ivy would take her young grandchildren to the river at Hammersmith to feed the ducks (rain was always met with 'Nice weather for ducks'). She also took her grandchildren to Harrods at Christmas to see Santa and the toy displays. ^[2]

Ivy was a great cook and made huge portions. She made the best birthday cake and Christmas pudding ever but unfortunately the recipes were lost. She enjoyed reading and doing crosswords. On Sundays Ben cleaned the house in the morning while Ivy cooked Sunday Lunch.^[2]

Her happiest times were when her family were all there (at their Hammersmith flat) at Christmas where she cooked lunch single handed - and it was delicious! ^[2]

Ivy and Ben moved to Brighton to be near their daughter Gillian.

When Ivy was around 50 she had stomach Cancer (in the early 1960's). She was very ill and had an operation. It was very successful - she lived to 93.

Ivy passed away in 2003. ^[4] Probate. ^[5]

Sources

1. ↑ GRO Index: SMITH, IVY GRACE. Mothers MAIDEN NAME: PAPWORTH , GRO Reference: 1910 D Quarter in TENDRING Volume 04A Page 721
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3} First hand information told to granddaughter Alison
3. ↑ Essex, England, Church of England Marriages, 1754-1935, Name: Ivy Grace Smith , Gender: Female , Marriage Age: 21 , Record Type: Marriage , Birth Date: abt 1911 , Marriage Date: 16 Jul 1932 , Marriage Place: Felsted, Holy Cross, Essex, England , Father: William Harrold Smith , Spouse: Benjamin Alfred Thomson
4. ↑ England & Wales, Civil Registration Death Index, 1916-2007, Name: Ivy Grace Thomson , Death Age: 93 , Birth Date: 26 Nov 1910 , Registration Date: Nov 2003 , Registration district: Brighton , Inferred County: Sussex , Register Number: A11B , District and Subdistrict: 452/1A , Entry Number: 274
5. ↑ THOMSON IVY GRACE 02 February 2004 1427898 02 November 2003 Grant and will Oxford.