D C Morgan, Builders Merchants, Grays, Essex tributepage

Jean Eileen Morgan 1920-2004

Jean (Eileen) Morgan (née Marjoram) was born in Kentford, Suffolk on 15th January 1920 and died on the evening of 24th December 2004. Words spoken by Michael at her funeral.
“Dad told me he met Mum when he was serving in the Army and based at Leiston, Suffolk. The army chaps went to dances in Aldeburgh where Dad met Mum. They married in 1941 just before Dad was sent for 4 years to serve in India. Mother moved to Ipswich with her parents where she drove trolley buses during the war. There were many stories, in particular when, in fog, the trolley bus became detached from the overhead power lines and the passengers had to push the bus back to the wires. After the war Dad returned to his former East Ham employment and they lived in Victoria Avenue, Grays. The peace was disturbed in 1949 when I was born and when we all had moved to Carlton Road, Gerald was born in 1950. In 1956 my parents started the family business D C Morgan & Co from the dining room at home. They then moved to their current home in Orsett in 1963.
Mother had a Golden Retriever Judy and later a poodle Liz. Both dogs went everywhere with Mum including the office. Holidays abroad only started after Liz died. Mum and Dad went many years without a holiday until around 1980 when through their connections with the City of London and in particular the United Wards Club they travelled to many countries. The highlight was when Father became President of the United Wards Club and orchestrated a tour of South Africa with considerable help from the South African Embassy. The holiday included receptions before and after the tour at the London Embassy. The memorable journey included Cape Town and the Blue Train (the African version of the Orient Express). Mother was presented with a brooch as a memento of the journey.
Mum and Dad were members of various City Livery and other City of London organisations. In particular Mother was a member in her own right of the Worshipful Company of Gardeners. Father was then her guest. Mother was the longest serving lady member of Lloyds of London (Insurance) and first lady member of the Worshipful Company of Builders' Merchants.
After 9 years of illness Mother never lost the will to live. A big thank you to Elaine and her helpers for caring for Mother and making fun of all tasks. Mother always said thank you in whatever way she could even when her speech failed.
Thank you for being a wife, mum and grandmother.”