Some lives are measured by miles, others by moments. Maureen’s has been marked by both – a journey that has carried her across continents, through love, work, and resilience, and into a life rich with stories worth telling.
Born in Birmingham, Maureen’s early years were defined by the quiet determination of a young woman ready to step beyond the familiar. At 23, her courage carried her far from home to Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), where she embraced a new life in Africa with an open heart. It was there that her journey truly began—one of adventure, hardship, and deep connection.
In 1961, she married a Londoner, a partnership that gave her both companionship and the strength to face life’s challenges together. Maureen worked in a settlement agency, guiding others through life’s transitions while quietly building her own. She had a gift for organisation, for steadiness, and for capturing stories – not just of herself, but of those around her. Writing was her way of preserving the meaning in life’s chapters, ensuring that experiences would not fade with time.
Her husband worked with Yarloop as a Chief Secretary, and together they carved out a life in Africa that was vibrant, purposeful, and demanding. Maureen became known for her balance of warmth and practicality – running households, raising children, and stepping into work when needed.
Life eventually brought her back to England, where she turned her hand to various roles, including working in the famed “Bette Shop” in Hanley. For nearly two decades, she greeted customers, helped families find their shoes, and built bonds with people who would remember her for her smile and her humour. At one stage after a stocktake, they had a single pair of shoes, she was challenged by her male counterparts that this shoe would be unsold. With a determination and self belief, she took a wager with the male counterparts, one with pride for the win, and in walked a man with a stump leg. She sold the shoe and her status was legendary. A touch of cheekiness brought brightness to the most ordinary of days.
Later, she and her husband moved to Waroona, trading city streets for community spirit. Retirement did not mean slowing down; it meant embracing stories, writing, and reflection. At 93, Maureen remains a woman whose life cannot be reduced to years alone. She is a traveller, a worker, a wife, a storyteller, and a woman of immense resilience.
Her story is proof that ageing does not diminish life’s richness—it deepens it. Behind her years lies a journey of continents crossed, love sustained, families raised, and communities touched. Through her written words and sharp wit, Maureen continues to remind us that every life holds meaning, every chapter has value, and every person deserves to be celebrated.