My grandma, Edna May Rowden passed away on the 13th October 2002 at the age of 80. She had been in hospital 3 months prior, after having a stroke in her home. Nanna raised me while I was little as mum and dad worked full time. I was her first grandchild and she always told me I was the favourite. Nanna always had time for me and was never too busy to listen (even if she wasn't sure about what you were telling her sometimes). I went and visited her every day she was in hospital over those 3 months, and I knew the pain she was in. Because I travelled the journey with her, I don't regret her dying.. I know it was the right time, and I know she will no longer be in pain.  This part of her life is over now, and  she gets to move on to the next phase of her life. I know that she will always be with me, and will always look over us.

I love you nanna.. may the Goddess guide you on your path.

~*Eulogy from Funeral*~ 

Edna didn’t marry until the age of 30 – she was proud of that, that she didn’t follow the social pressures of the time and marry young. And she was proud of her independent life style prior to marriage

Edna married Bill and they had three children – Jane, Paul and Martin. Bill died in 1974 when Jane was 16, Paul 12 and Martin 10. Edna worked to maintain her family (usually two jobs) – ongoingly role modelling self reliance, independence and self determination. No matter how tired and weary she was, she always had time to listen and talk (as she became older it was more talking than listening – as I’m sure all who knew her would acknowledge)

Edna fostered in her children the qualities she believed to be important – honesty, integrity, loyalty, self responsibility and independence. She was proud of her children and never missed an opportunity to boast about them

In 1984 at age 62 Edna emigrated to Australia – Jane was by that time living here. Edna wasted no time in becoming an Australian citizen – a fact she highlighted to Jane regularly who still is not an “Aussie”. Edna was involved in caring for her grandchildren – Becky and James. Edna also had 7 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild in the UK. She was as interested in and supportive of them as her Australian grandchildren

Somehow, over time, Edna faded and ‘Nanna’ materialised. Nanna was well known and utilised as the “community Nanna” in every area in which she lived. Young, middle aged and old went to Nanna – to chat, to hear the voice of common sense, to receive support

And now, Nanna is no longer here. But her presence and the qualities she believed to be important continue to live on generationally in the personalities, thoughts and actions of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren

- she would be proud of that