May was born on Friday 2nd October 1925, the third child of Walter and Maud King. She lived her entire childhood in the same house by what was then Henham Halt on the railway branch from Elsenham to Thaxted - along with her brothers Bill (now 99) Bob who sadly died last year, and her younger brother John (now a sprightly 92). When she left Henham school, she was going to go to college, but the war prevented that. Her brothers all went to war, May worked in a factory making radios and subsequently joined the railway, following in the footsteps of her father, working first in Elsenham station booking office and latterly in Bishop's Stortford.
She married George in April 1953 and they built a house in his father's former orchard, and that would be her home until 1992. As was normal then, as soon as May married she left herwork on the railway to build the family home. In 1954 Mark was born followed in 1962 by Hugh. Although a very private person, May was an active person in the village, attending the Women's Institute, Mother’s Union and latterly the gardening club. She also delivered poppies with her sisters in law for more than 30 years and helped collect offerings for the church's mission work in Rwanda - but her great escape was her garden, to which she devoted as much time as she could. Weekends in the summer months were spent mostly in Stone and then Burnham on Crouch where they kept a caravan - so that George could relax sailing.
After George's heart attack in 1966 the boat went and was replaced with a touring caravan which saw the family out on caravan rallies in the summer months and throughout the UK on holiday, although never for more than a week at a time! Once Hugh was at Newport, she returned to employment, working with George at Daniel Robinson’s in South Street Bishop's Stortford assisting with the bookkeeping and general administration as the business grew, as well as being forever “on call” out of office hours.
George died suddenly in November 1981 shortly before her first grandson was born (she subsequently had 8 grandchildren and another 8 great grandchildren who universally called her “Granny May”). May lived on alone in Elsenham but subsequently moved to Worminghall in the mid 90’s to be closer to Mark, Silvia and family (Hugh by this time was working in Houston). She settled well into her bungalow in Old Farm Close and set about re modelling the garden. She also travelled a lot more, visiting Australia to meet up with Hugh and stay with her long time friends Phyl and Derek and subsequently on many occasions to stay with Hugh and latterly Andrea after they were married in Houston.
Mark and Silvia moved to Switzerland in 2012 and after much discussion Mum decided to remain in Worminghall. She had a great team of helpers with Carol H, Terry and Carol P very much to the fore. In 2016 after a fall and subsequent illness, shortly after her 90th birthday, she realised that the time had come to relinquish her independence and moved to Mountfitchet House back close to her brothers in Essex. Again, she settled well although she resisted all attempts from the staff to “join in” (we did warn them that was not May’s way!) but she received lots of visits from relatives and old friends and her niece Catherine was a very welcome weekly visitor who kept the Werther's Originals and biscuits topped up!
In the past months Mum’s short term memory deteriorated rapidly and the end came thankfully quickly – at this point we wish to pay tribute to the entire team at Mountfitchet House who cared for her as if she were one of their own. May / Mum / Granny May was always a rock in our family - she was always there for everyone, and was the great organiser of everything. Her own family and the wider King and Robinson family meant everything to her. She was at her best with family and friends she knew well, was the polar opposite to George but they were devoted to each other and now, finally she is reunited with him. Thank you May, Mum, Granny May, from the bottom of our hearts we will all miss you more than you will ever know.
We have chosen Family Action as the charity we wish to support because at this terrible time, children and families in need will need our support more than ever. Family was everything to Mum and we are ever grateful that we enjoyed a happy childhood in the middle of a loving family. Family Action is totally focused on the needs of children in the UK and we want to do all we can to help them. Thank you for support, Mark, Hugh, Silvia and Andrea xxx.
In memory of Auntie May Robinson. With love
Jackie & Ike Hutchin
We miss you Mum - rest in peace. We love you still.
Hugh and Andrea, Paul, George and Helen
Mr Hugh Robinson
May was always a very good friend of my Mother Dora and fond of her brother Bob. She was always very welcoming to Linda and I and introduced us to Croft sherry.
Can’t believe we won’t be able to share coffee and cake with her anymore on our visits.
Condolences to Mark, Hugh and families.
Mr Robert King
In memory of May, always remembered with the greatest affection.
Nicola & Colin
Miss NICOLA ROBINSON
We were blessed with having May as our neighbour in Worminghall for over 10 years. She was a lovely neighbour and friend to us all. Not everyone enjoys the blessing of good neighbours but we certainly did. She will be sorely missed and fondly remembered by us all. Clare, Simon, Amy, Izzy and Eliza Howard.
Mrs Clare Howard
That was a wonderful service, especially under these circumstances. It was a privilege to have known May and to have been "present" at the service. Bob
Mr Bob Ward
Liebe Trauerfamilie, Von ganzem Herzen sprechen wir Euch unser Beileid aus und wuenschen Euch in der schweren Zeit des Abschieds Kraft und Zuversicht. Mit stillen Gruessen Hansruedi Ruth und Familie
Anonymous
A lovely lady who we are sure will be sadly missed.
Mel & Norma
Mr Melvyn Heyes
Happy memories of May -with sincere condolences to all her family. Margaret.
Mrs Margaret Marsh
We will always have very fond memories of May. We knew her for many years in Worminghall and whenever I used to pop over to visit her, she was often doing the Telegraph crossword or enjoying watching sport (especially tennis and cricket). She will be sadly missed by all who knew her and our thoughts are with all the family at this sad time. Rest in peace May. Gill & Neil xxx
Mr & Mrs Neil & Gill Gardham
We are so sorry you cannot all be at May's funeral butt she will know your thoughts are with her. Barbara & Albert
Mr & Mrs Albert & Barbara Joiner
We have such happy memories of May when she visited the family in Long Crendon and then later on when she lived in Worminghall to be near to Mark and Silvia
Our thoughts are with all the family at this time
Love from Jen and Pete. xxxx
Mr Peter Braithwaite
For the many times we met when Hugh was over hear.
May God Bless you with his Peace.
Tony and Jacqui
Mr Tony Whitbread
I well remember the lovely times I had with Aunt May and Uncle George at Stone and Burnham-on-Crouch, helping to crew Uncle George's various boats. We had some hairy adventures made all the more dodgy at times as I don't think Uncle George could swim! When we got back to the caravan, Aunt May always had a warm welcome and something for us to eat. Happy times. Rest in peace Aunt May.
Malcolm
Mr Malcolm Robinson
Dear Granny May, we have so many wonderful memories of happy times together. You will always be remembered for your fabulous brandy butter and cheese tartlets at Christmas. You took so much pride in your home and beautiful garden and it was clear how much joy this brought to you. We will miss you, rest in peace. All our love, Monique, Howard, Edward and George xxx
Mrs Monique Rawlings
Granny May, I will remember all the kind things you did, like sending me back to University with cakes and other food items. I will remember how happy you were in your garden. Every time I watch Wimbledon I will think of you because I know how much you loved tennis. Rest in peace GM X Marco, Anita & Olivia
Mr Marco Bieri
My dear Aunt May. A kind, caring and independent lady. How I will miss your smile and your cheery "hello!" every time I saw you. We used to have a good natter each week and you would always ask about the garden and the cats, usually when you were enjoying your cappuccino! About half way through drinking your coffee you would pause and say "this is lovely." Such memories I will treasure.
You had reached a stage when you were ready for your next journey. Now you are reunited with Uncle George you can continue it together.
Rest in peace Aunt May.
All my love,
Catherine xx
Miss Catherine Horner
Dear Mum/Granny May - I know we should be sad, but now we are over the shock we are happy for you. You had a long and full life and you told us on many occasions how you were ready to go. The last year, as you slowly forgot more and more, were not easy for you. Seeing you on a video call - because of the lock down, was so sad. Instead, we choose to remember the better times, time spent with your children, grandchildren and great grand children and time spent with your wider family, who were so important to you. You were always there for all of us and for that we are ever grateful. You can now be reunited with Dad who was so cruelly taken away from us so early that Silvia, Andrea and all your grandchildren and great children never got the chance to meet and know him. Rest in Peace Mum and thank you one last time for everything you did for all of us Love Mark and Silvia xx
Mr Mark Robinson
Granny May. Such sad news on Saturday morning from Dad hearing you had passed but thankfully in comfort, peace and in great care. Dad called me whilst i was out for a walk with the girls which quickly brought a smile to my face as you so loved to do with us all as kids. So many great memories Gran you leave with us all and i am glad you can finally be with Grandad once again. Sleep well Gran,
all my love, James x
Mr James Robinson
With heartfelt and sincere sympathy for you all at this very difficult time. With love and condolences to all the family.
Miss Elizabeth Parkin
To Granny May
I’m sorry to hear you’ve passed away but I find comfort knowing you are at peace. Thank you for everything you did for us and for always putting your family first. You were one of a kind and I feel truly privileged to have had you in my life. I will tell my boys all about you and they’ll know what a headstrong, loyal, caring and kind lady you were. I’ll never forget you and I am sure that you’ll be watching closely, keeping an eye on us all.
Rest in peace GM xxx
Mrs Niki Ward
