Moya Patricia Edith Mead - nee Lamb - 1921 - 2017
From the Parish News – April 2017
Died 9th February 2017 - Aged 85 Years
Moya was born 1st June 1921 in Ilford, Essex. She spent her childhood in East Ham with her parents, Rose and Henry, and her younger brother Len.
She met Robert Lodge, a Royal Marine from Stepney, East London and they married on 3rd August 1944 at St Stephens Catholic Church, Manor Park. The newlyweds lived with Moya's parents for seven years. Kathleen was born there in 1945 and they moved to Romford on the day that Robert junior was born in 1951.
Before she was married, Moya worked in a cable factory and during the war built radios for SOE operatives which required her to sign the official secrets act.
Later she worked as an administrator and secretary, principally at the Hornchurch Children's homes. Moya loved children and was also involved with evening youth work at the Broxhill Secondary School, Harold Hill, Essex. She had a rapport with the naughty boys who would usually co-operate with her because she listened to them and made them feel as if they mattered. In 1981 Moya and Robert moved to Ashingdon, Rochford, Essex but, sadly, Robert died shortly afterwards.
Moya met Keith Mead, a widower who lived down the road, when he was looking for someone to walk his dog. Their relationship blossomed and they married at St Andrews Church, Ashingdon on 13th September 1990. Keith was 64 and Moya was 69; he was, she said with glee, her toy boy.
They bought a static caravan at Little Lakelands, Wortwell in 1992 and commuted between Ashingdon and Wortwell until they moved to Willow Close, Wortwell in January 1997, starting a new phase of their life together in Norfolk.
Moya and Keith were very sociable and they joined in with lots of activities in Denton. Moya joined the Art Group; she was a competent artist and had some of her pictures on display at home. They were members of the Gardening Club where they made lots of new friends, attended church regularly and were keen walkers.
In October 2008 Moya was knocked over whilst crossing the Wortwell by pass. She suffered severe life threatening and life changing injuries and underwent a number of major operations to try to repair the damage. As a result she was unable to walk without a frame or her trusty sticks.
Keith was marvellous. They still managed to get out to so many places, with Keith pushing and pulling the wheelchair and manoeuvring Moya onto and off chairs. Keith died on 2 1st August 2014 and Moya lost her lifeline to the outside world but she didn't give up - instead she built up a new routine. She had regular meet-ups with friends in Harleston and she also kept in touch with frequent phone-calls.
She came to Denton Post Office every week and was interested to experience new things. She kept an eye on the new vineyard in Earsham and even had a private tour with the winemaker. She remembered the names of people's children and grandchildren; knew who was having a birthday, a wedding anniversary, a baby! She was interested - and interesting.
When she was fit Moya always did things for other people. In her later years she needed other people to do things for her - and they did it willingly because she was easy to help. Her bins were miraculously put out and put away again. She never had to worry about getting to appointments. She maintained a remarkable social life for someone of her age and disability. She really appreciated her gardener and the help she had in the house. She referred to all those people as her ‘good Samaritans' and she was always grateful for the part they played in her life.
Moya died in the James Paget Hospital with her family around her on 9th February 2017. She is much missed by her children, Kathleen and Bob, and Keith's daughter Glynis; her grandchildren Anna, Susan, Daniel, Kirsty and Fiona; and her great-grandchildren Katie May, Megan and Leo as well as by her many friends.