Sitemap info

Mary Underwood 1932 - 2007

John and Mary Underwood

Mary was well-known to many bellringers not only in Lincolnshire but much further afield. She was known not for her ringing ability but for her hospitality.

Mary's father was landlord of the Plough Inn in Sturton and after leaving Sturton School Mary worked as 'receptionist' at the pub and church events were her social life. Singing was a feature of family life, as both her parents had beautiful voices. Other members of the family played instruments and also sang, so it is not surprising that Mary was a member of Sturton church choir.

Joe Butler came to lodge at the Plough and he helped around the pub with various jobs and was apprenticed to the local agricultural engineers.

Eventually Mary and Joe ran the 'Chip Shop' in the Plough Yard, which her father had established. In 1953 Mary and Joe were married and lived close to the Plough. They grew all their own vegetables as well as keeping chickens and rearing pigs. It was at this time that Mary's culinary and entertaining skills were becoming legendary.

In 1958 Helen was born and eighteen months later Jane was born but sadly only six months later Joe died.

Shortly afterwards Mary's parents, Gladys and Wilf retired from the Plough to a nearby cottage and with loyal friends supported Mary, Helen and Jane through a very difficult time. Mary seldom missed attending Church and singing in the choir.

Some years later Stow Church was short of Bell Ringers, and the Rector, Canon Parker, contacted anyone who he thought might be interested. Mary was still a member of the Choir and she was invited to a meeting. She learnt to ring and for several years she was a regular member of the Stow Band, but was always a nervous ringer and never achieved the competence she had in singing, cooking and gardening.

However it was the social side of ringing that became a joy to Mary - especially teas at ringing meetings, and catering for them, and there another side of Mary came to the fore - chatting and listening.

There was one particular ringing meeting at Epworth, where she caught the attention of a young ringer called John Underwood. The following week he offered her a lift on her first ringing outing, and soon they became firm friends. Mary and John were married at St Mary's Stow in October 1966, and John joined Mary, Helen and Jane at 'Evergreen' in Sturton. This family was soon enlarged, as David came into the world.

In 1970 a group of friends started going on ringing holidays - a practice which continues to this day.

Early holidays in Devon were a novelty to Mary who had never been on holiday before, and she joined in with enthusiasm.

The car was packed full with clothes, buckets and spades, the rear window shelf of the car was full of home made fruit pies etc, and every one had cake tins stacked between their knees!! Food and belongings spilled from every glove compartment. Poor John hardly had room to drive!

Mary enjoyed preparing the picnics, and giving cooking tips, - one notable occasion was on how to prepare and cook a rabbit, which like Peter Rabbits father had met with a nasty accident.

Mary had a wonderful sense of humour and fun. While the enthusiasts rang Mary would be off round the shops - especially the card shops, where she found appropriate cards for people, always funny, and often a bit naughty!!

Mary always had a wish to live where she could see Stow Church, and when in 1979 Post House became vacant and Evergreen was getting too much to upkeep, they moved to Stow. Here they tended their very small garden, John cut and still cuts the adjoining Church grass and until a few years ago Mary maintained the garden alongside the Church wall.

About nine years ago Mary had a near fatal heart attack but she remained cheerful and optimistic. About five years ago she had another heart attach and more recently her energy level dropped and her drive to do things waned, but she never failed to smile, and family and friends were always made welcome. An example of this welcoming smile was at the monthly Tuesday afternoon ringing practices at Stow, where Mary and John and helpers provided a wonderful tea for all who came - even at the practice just before her death.

We are all grateful for the privilege of having known Mary who was such a marvellous Christian example to us all, and for being such a special part of each of our lives. The affection with which she was held was apparent by the very large attendance at her funeral in Stow church on 12th February 2007. A very moving address (upon which this Tribute is based) was given by Janet Bull. If you would like to read this please click here.

Donations in memory of Mary amounting to £1330 were presented to East Midlands Pace-Maker Fund.