Mum says that Donald was the favourite! When Jean had scarlet fever she ended up in hospital in an isolation ward. When Donald got it, Edie didn't tell anyone, and nursed him at home!
When Mum was still little the family moved to Bishop Auckland. Fred became the manager at the Robert Wilson and Sons iron foundry.
Jean, Donald, and Joyce
In Bishop Auckland Mum went to Cocton Hill Primary School.
She was in the Brownies, had piano lessons, and learned to knit and embroider. Her best friend was Maisy Smith and she used to go to the Methodist chapel with Maisy's family. As Mum got older, though, her father would take her to the Anglican church, St Andrew's, where she was confirmed.
At age 11 Mum passed her exams but was so shy she did not do well at the interview and, to everyone's surprise, was refused admission to the Girl's Grammar School. She was given a place at the Secondary Modern in Bishop Auckland.
She was there 3 years but Edie wanted her to be able to take O-levels so she transferred to the Immaculate Conception School in Darlington and was educated by the Catholic sisters (one of only three Protestants in the school). She had to travel on the bus every day.