IN LOVING MEMORY

. Greta Mary Milam ,

25TH JULY 1958 - 5TH MAY 2014
Greta, is there anyone sweeta
in all of Isla Margarita?
If there is one and you know her,
show her to me.
From Kate
Ive attached a photo of Aunty Greta with lots
of family at our wedding. That was the last time
we saw her. Neil & I were so touched that she
travelled so far to be with us on our wedding
day. It made the special day even better.
I also remember visiting Aunty Greta & James
at their house in New York and being amazed
at the size of their huge American fridge
freezer containing gigantic bottles of Coke. We
(Jonathan & I) werent allowed to drink Coke
at home so Aunty Greta let us drink it in secret
while Mum wasnt looking. Brilliant Aunty.
From Stella
1965ish - At Uxbridges Rockingham Rec,
during the school summer hols, Greta was
about 7, Babs was 9, and me 13 - we were
playing pitchnputt golf when someone (cant
remember who but guess it must have been
Babs or me!) took a mighty swing of the golf
club and whacked little Greta on the head, just
above her forehead. All I can remember after
that was the blood coming out of her head
into her lovely reddy-golden locks, pushing her
bleeding head under the nearest running tap,
and walking home, dreading what Mum would
say. Dont actually remember Mums reaction at
all, but maybe wed done a good job with that
gushing tap, and Greta looking like a drowned
rat.
1999 - Us visiting Greta in Uniondale, went
for a lovely picnic in their local park, followed
by Jonathan and James doing some baseball
practice catching (Jonathan was in a baseball
team in Maidstone at the time) and then some
very crazy golf.
Aug 2007 - Greta visiting us in Maidstone,
and we took her to Sevenoaks for a lovely walk
round Knole Park and House when I reminded
her that this was where Mum & Dad used to
stroll (probably hand-in-hand - ahhh!) during
their time of from working at Shaftesbury
Homes, and when theyd just got married in
Sevenoaks Register Ofce during WW2 (1941).
2010 - Greta visiting us in Elmswell and we
took her for a short walk across the elds to the
next village, Wetherden, which was where shed
had her very rst job as a Nanny in 1974(?), to
which she used to travel from St Neots by bus
and train. She pointed out her bedroom in the
gatehouse where she lived, and was surprised
to learn that it was still the same family farming
that land, as it is to this day, so the farmer there
now is probably the little boy she Nannied. She
remembered taking him to the villages small
playground across the road, which is still there
too, but is now somewhat updated.
From Ruth
I have a fond memory of Auntie Greta picking
myself and Adrian up in her swanky new BMW
and I have been in love with them ever since.
It even had electric seatbelts and I can clearly
hear her say, Mind your head as it locks. SO
COOL! We had a super afternoon with her and
James bowling and eating ice cream.
Ill never forget when Heidi and Greta called
from NYC on the Millennium New Year to wish
us a happy one, both full of giggles and cheer
on the telephone.
She was a super Auntie and the memories
I have of her will be cherished and never
forgotten. Rest in peace, we love you.
From Heidi
So sorry to hear of Gretas passing - so sad,
a wonderful lady who made me laugh a lot,
mainly as she kept grabbing my hands and
saying You actually have my hands!
From Lucy
I was lucky enough to visit Greta a few times
and have many special memories of the time
spent with her, mainly lled with laughter!
Especially the time she put the heated seating
on in the car without telling me!
I will always remember the laughs we shared
and how welcoming and very loving she was,
and am so very grateful she was a part of my life.
From Brenda
Although Greta had many trials in her life, she
always managed to count her blessings and
expressed thankfulness, which I always found
amazing.
A song that Mum made up at tea time when
she was little Greta - is there anyone sweeta,
in all of Isla Margarita, if there is one and you
know her, show her to me.
From Joanna
Auntie Greta was everything that an Auntie
should be. When I was small we visited Little
Paxton regularly. I loved to go out for walks
with Auntie Greta to the gravel pits and take
Tina the big black Labrador who lived next
door. Tina always pulled on the way there and I
was never allowed to hold her lead. But on the
way home I was! This was so special to me as
I always wanted a dog of my own. I also wanted
to see the eels in the river each time Auntie
Greta would take me even though she was
petried of snakes!
When I was ten Auntie Greta came to live
with us for a few years. We didnt have enough
bedrooms, so my bed was moved in with Mum
and Dad and Auntie Greta had my room. But
I didnt mind. After a long hard day at work in
London, she would always come home and play
games with me. We played endless card games.
My hands still sting from playing Chinese
patience anyone who knows the game will
know what I mean! She never ever complained
and was just happy to be with me. At weekends
she would take me to London to see exciting
things she worked in Harrods and I loved to
go there, particularly to see the animals. She
had a wicked sense of humour and she was a
pleasure to be around.
Auntie Greta came on my school trip to
France with me everyone else had a boring
old Mum or Dad I had a special Auntie.
One particular memory I have of her stands
out for me. I had a very important teddy called
Billy Bear that I had had from when I was born.
This bear came everywhere with me (and still
does!). While Auntie Greta was living with us,
we had a puppy called Peppa. One day, we
were out and when we came home Billy Bear
was spread across the living room in bits! He
was the only thing that Peppa ever chewed.
I was heartbroken, but Auntie Greta came to
the rescue. She slowly but carefully sewed Billy
Bears head back on explaining to me that this
made him an even more special bear as he had
now had micro surgery. Every time I see Billy
Bear now, I think of her and that operation.
And nally up until the day she sadly died,
she still called me Pog, which was my childhood
name. I think that James actually thinks my name
really is Pog. I will miss her very much.
From Kath
Our last meeting I feel was meant to be and our
photo together so special to keep.
Gee-ga-gak sleep baby sleep. Cradled in your
mothers arms who will love you as her last
baby for ever and ever.
Gee-ga-gak your baby name from us all
(or just me, your other mother). Many times I
looked after you; being only two.
Times we used to walk from Walford Road to
town, going past the electricity station where I had
to read the notice over and over again: WARNING
ELECTRICITY DO NOT TOUCH and always
explain the dangers. You loved to hear this.
From Jenny
When I was rst thrown into the Vowles family
it was 1963 and Barbara and Greta were only
seven and ve years old. Luckily, I was very used
to having young children around as I had a brood
of young nieces and nephews who were roughly
the same age as Barbara and Greta.
My main memory of Barbara and Greta (sorry,
but they sort of came as a unit then) was that
they were constantly upside down or doing
some sort of acrobatics. It was like being in
a room with a couple of little chimpanzees!
They were delightful, well-mannered and
loving children, as were all the Vowles children,
and welcomed me into their hearts without a
moments hesitation.
Their life was so diferent to that of my nieces
and nephews (and to what mine had been too
the completely spoilt youngest of four who were
all much older than me). Barbara and Greta were
completely unspoilt.
I remember Paul and I took Greta to the circus
at Wembley Arena along with my nephew
Christopher who was roughly the same age
as Greta. Her little face was a picture as she
watched all the daring and colourful acts.
Although, I seem to remember that she didnt like
the clowns very much.
Later when Russell and Joanna came along
they couldnt have wished for a more patient or
loving Auntie. She was so proud of them. When
we moved to our at and Joanna was born,
Greta would come on the bus after school with
her friend Frances Edgeworth, making sure that
they got there in time to help with tea and bath
and bed time.
Much later when Greta needed a home after
various crises in her life, she lived with us at
Orchard Waye. Once for a good couple of years,
but it didnt seem like that. She was always quiet
but never moody. She was clean and tidy about the
house, helping me with various household tasks
(even trying to teach me to cook, although she
wasnt very successful) and she had the patience of
Job with Russell and Joanna; playing endless board
and card games with Joanna, and showing great
interest in Russells madcap schemes.
The last time she lived with us, Russell and
Joanna were teenagers. They had a big group of
friends and our house was like the local youth
club! Greta joined in everything, even instigating
some of their silly pranks, and Russell and Joanna
became very close to her.
We were all sad when she went to live in
America, but Russell was lucky enough (or brave
enough, not sure which) to visit her there when
they lived in Queens.
Now we will miss her forever. It just
doesnt seem right or possible, but we know
we have lots of precious memories to keep
in our hearts.
Sleep peacefully now Greta. xxx
Light a Candle (from Stella)
Light a candle, see it glow
Watch it dance when you feel low
Think of her, think of light
Shell always be here, day or night
A candle ickers out of sight
But in your heart she still burns bright
Think not of sadness that shes not here
Think of gladness and her joyous cheer