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Family raises the Roffe for Phyllis
IT was Phyllis Roffe's dearest wish that her bountiful brood should gather together for a family reunion to top them all.
IT was Phyllis Roffe's dearest wish that her bountiful brood should gather together for a family reunion to top them all.But scattered far and wide and numbering more than 100, it was an impossible task to get everyone in one place.
Sadly, Mrs Roffe passed away in 1995 aged 90, but her loved ones were determined that in the years to come, they would try to carry out her wish in her memory.
And on Sunday, the entire family – spanning five generations – hopped in cars, trains and buses to ensure they could make it for the party at Ferry Meadows in Peterborough.
The eldest guest was 83-year-old Connie Foreman, Phyllis's eldest daughter, and the youngest was little Charlie Gray, who is only a few months old.
Amid the revelry and games, the guests took time out to remember Mrs Roffe and reflected on her life.
A picture of her was placed on a table, and each of her 100 or so relatives glanced at it during the day.
Her granddaughter Kate Robinson, who organised the get-together, said that although her nana wasn't there in person, it felt as if she was by their side in spirit.
Mrs Robinson (42), of Belsize Avenue, Woodston said: "It was brilliant. We played cricket, rounders, had a barbecue and drinks.
"Family members came from Manchester, Newcastle, Leicester, as well as Peterborough.
"We took a picture of nana and put it on the patio table, so it was like she was there with us.
"She always wished we could all get together, but nobody dared suggest it, as there were so many of us.
"But with e-mail, we have all managed to get to know each other again and thought we had to do something in her memory."
Mrs Roffe lived in Thornaugh, near Peterborough, and the family has close ties to village.
Many members of the clan went to Thornaugh School, and Mrs Robinson was the last to go before it closed.
Several of the group made a pilgrimage to Phyllis's grave at Thornaugh cemetery, where other ancestors of the family are buried.
Mrs Robinson said family and community were the centre of Mrs Roffe's life.
She said: "Phyllis loved her family. She loved the church and used to do the flowers and clean the church in Thornaugh.
"She also helped out in the school, which was opposite where she lived."
And there is a special memory she has of her nana's kindness.
She said: "There is something I always remember. Outside her house, there used to be a brick wall, and there was a little gap where you could put things through.
"As a child, I used to walk past on my way to school and she would put jam sandwiches wrapped in brown paper for lunch for us.
"She was so thoughtful and family-orientated."
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Sunday 12 February 2012
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