Gillian Dorothy Staples

Mum may have spent her last few years in Selborne but she was a woman of the world, living and travelling to far flung places.
Born in Kuala Lumpur in 1931, she went to boarding school in Sumatra at the tender age of 5 before being sent back to Scotland with her sister Barbara to live with Tinie Grannie and Aunt Isslalin. When war broke out, her mother and brother picked them up and they moved down to Kent and back to boarding school, at Ashford Girls School.
Mum was very sporty at school. Her cricket career was rather short though as she lost the only school ball when batting! But she was a fierce hockey goalie – playing for the County U16 when she was only 13! And, of course, she was a strong swimmer – as long as she didn’t have to breathe and swim! Looking at her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, her prowess has been passed on!
She was clever, but she didn’t like school and opted to withdraw at the earliest opportunity. She toyed with careers in nursing and first aid but chose to get her secretarial qualifications and head to the world of work as soon as possible, joining her parents in Malaya in 1947.
It wasn’t long before she met Dad in Kuala Lumpur and they were married when she was just 20. With Alan and Debbie coming along quite quickly afterwards, they enjoyed their home in Malaya and had some notable family holidays in Port Swetnam. I believe Alan left a sock in the harbour wall! Family life there included lots of activity including swimming and tennis! In 1960, they returned to the UK, settling in Eastbourne, not far from both their parents in East Dean and Henfield. But Dad never really settled to the commute and so he moved to a new job with De La Rue selling printing machines and off they went to Switzerland.
Dad’s job meant Mum was often left to hold the fort alone for months. Getting news of Dad was difficult – when there were phone calls, the lines were truly terrible! But Mum was not daunted by the responsibility of 4 children. When we were at school, she made the most of her time, learning to speak French, to cook Italian food, and to paint porcelain. She was an avid reader – she could read so fast – and loved a good TV programme.
On occasion she would travel with Dad – she had great tales of China, India, Indonesia, Australia and more. Indeed, she covered almost every continent (not Antarctica), yet she liked nowhere more than home. The only house she ever owned and lived in was Selborne. A fabulous family home – indeed family was very important to her. We were a very loud household and had some strong personalities and fiery tempers. So there were some cracking arguments, but Mum disliked conflict and would always be the peacemaker!
She was truly proud of her children, grand-children, and great-grandchildren, taking a keen interest in all their achievements – supporting them in their endeavours, applauding their successes and commiserating when things didn’t quite work out.
Her life had its share of other challenges. She had to contend with a number of significant health problems and was plagued by arthritis. Her brother died early in his 50s and just weeks before her Debbie died, suddenly. She was uncomplaining and stoic, even when she was no longer able to get out and about. She felt her loss of independence keenly. In particular, she regretted not being able to take her beloved dogs for walks.
She’d loved animals all her life but with all the moving between England and Switzerland, it wasn’t until she was settled in Eastbourne in the early 1990s that she was finally able to have her own pets again. She loved her dogs – they were her devoted companions, her babies.
Mum was always fiercely proud of her Scottish roots, and always fondly remembered the years she spent there – she even went so far as to support Scotland over England in the Calcutta cup!
She was kind and generous – making time for those around her. She loved to take care of people. In her things she had kept letters and photos sent to her by family in the US (Karin, Lisa, Lynn, John-Paul and their children) and the Parsons family from Africa and Australia. She loved that they stayed in touch with her. All the kind words and support of her family and friends have been heartening to receive – thank you.
She is now at peace.