It is 100 years since Madge Stevens was born - Pt 09

07 Aug 1937. Sister in-law Margaret Patterson dies. This meant her daughter Shirley would often go to stay (and go to school) whilst her father traveled in his work.
“Madge was a remarkable woman and her love for life and people was limitless. After my mother died, as I imagine you know, I spent from early May to late September with Aunt Madge and Uncle Charlie while my Dad was away on business. This went on for four or five years until I had graduated from high school and we got an apartment that I looked after. The Patterson home always had an open door. Uncle Charlie would meet service men who were far from home and he'd bring them home for dinner - and Madge would feed them and make them so welcome. I call her Madge because when I was about 15 she told me - please don't call me Aunt Madge - it makes me feel so old - just Madge - and at that time she was probably only in her late 20's. She was a wonderful woman and I loved her like a Mother.” Shirley McFarlane (Woolley)


Shirley and Audrey. Shirley with same dress as above