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Edith Wigzell obituary Edith Wigzell obituary
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My mother, Edith Wigzell, who has died aged 92, lived an ordinary life well and made it extraordinary. The start of her working life coincided with the birth of the NHS and she embodied its concerns with care and compassion.My mother, Edith Wigzell, who has died aged 92, lived an ordinary life well and made it extraordinary. The start of her working life coincided with the birth of the NHS and she embodied its concerns with care and compassion.
She was born Edith Radclyffe in Hitchin, Hertfordshire. Her father was a printer; both of her parents were Quakers. After the second world war, she worked for Save the Children in Poland and as a nanny in Belfast. She then trained as nurse at St Thomas' hospital in London and became a proud member of the Nightingale fellowship, an alumni association of the hospital.She was born Edith Radclyffe in Hitchin, Hertfordshire. Her father was a printer; both of her parents were Quakers. After the second world war, she worked for Save the Children in Poland and as a nanny in Belfast. She then trained as nurse at St Thomas' hospital in London and became a proud member of the Nightingale fellowship, an alumni association of the hospital.
While bringing up five children in Basingstoke, Hampshire, she looked after 21 foster children, worked at baby and family planning clinics and volunteered as a marriage guidance counsellor. As her children left, she retrained and had happy years as a health visitor.While bringing up five children in Basingstoke, Hampshire, she looked after 21 foster children, worked at baby and family planning clinics and volunteered as a marriage guidance counsellor. As her children left, she retrained and had happy years as a health visitor.
In retirement, she returned with our father, John, whom she had married in 1949, to her beloved Belfast, to do Quaker peace work amid the Troubles in the 1980s. Her last years were in Cornwall, where she was an active member of Amnesty International and a befriender for Mind.In retirement, she returned with our father, John, whom she had married in 1949, to her beloved Belfast, to do Quaker peace work amid the Troubles in the 1980s. Her last years were in Cornwall, where she was an active member of Amnesty International and a befriender for Mind.
She lived her Quaker faith: seeing the good in everyone, but never being in awe of anyone. Not one for public speaking or pushing herself forward, she had a strong will, powerful inner confidence and a great gentleness. She had high standards for herself; it was her children who saw, with relief, her occasional slips.She lived her Quaker faith: seeing the good in everyone, but never being in awe of anyone. Not one for public speaking or pushing herself forward, she had a strong will, powerful inner confidence and a great gentleness. She had high standards for herself; it was her children who saw, with relief, her occasional slips.
Relationships were at the heart of her life. She had a passionate marriage with John: they attended a marriage enrichment group well into old age. Her delight in motherhood gave her a deep satisfaction and in later years she enjoyed grandchildren and great-grandchildren. We all benefited from her counselling skills; her phone was never far from her chair.Relationships were at the heart of her life. She had a passionate marriage with John: they attended a marriage enrichment group well into old age. Her delight in motherhood gave her a deep satisfaction and in later years she enjoyed grandchildren and great-grandchildren. We all benefited from her counselling skills; her phone was never far from her chair.
After John died in 2005, reading became increasingly important. Her book group, her library books, Scrabble and crosswords kept her intellect alive. She was a lifelong member of the Women's League of Health and Beauty and exercised regularly until her last few days. She used alternative medicine to manage her chronic emphysema. Her body is now at St Thomas' hospital, as she arranged, to help train medical students.After John died in 2005, reading became increasingly important. Her book group, her library books, Scrabble and crosswords kept her intellect alive. She was a lifelong member of the Women's League of Health and Beauty and exercised regularly until her last few days. She used alternative medicine to manage her chronic emphysema. Her body is now at St Thomas' hospital, as she arranged, to help train medical students.
Edith is survived by her sister-in–law, her sister, five children and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.Edith is survived by her sister-in–law, her sister, five children and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
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