In Memory of Lily Witt (nee Norris) 
15/09/1915 - 19/09/2015
Lily was born in Nottingham during WWI. Her mum died when she was just 18 months old and her father (a miner) couldn't cope with five children. So he put the youngest two up for adoption. She faced an unbelievably tough childhood moving from foster home to orphanage to the workhouse.
During WWII she worked in a munitions factory in the Midlands putting her life at risk every day with the rest of "The Suicide Squad" before eventually moving to London where she served as a kitchen hand at the Woolwich Arsenal Barracks and "enjoyed a dance or two with a handsome soldier".
After the war she met and married my grandad Frank Witt. Frank was a widower with one child, (my dearly departed) Uncle Lynford, who Nanny Lil adopted as her own. In 1947 she fell pregnant with my father David Witt. A couple of years later he was followed by Tony Witt and their family was complete. Lily and her boys.
It wasn't until some years later, after her own children had flown the nest that Nanny discovered she had four older siblings. I know that her new-found friendship with her brother Bob was a real comfort when my grandad passed away.
With a sunny disposition and a great sense of humour my Nan was never short of friends and she kept her independence until she was in her late eighties.
Glaucoma and a badly ulcerated leg meant she had to move from her warden controlled flat into Northlands House (Home for Retired Duchesses).
It was there, this week that her friends and family all gathered to celebrate her 100th birthday and resulting telegram from the queen.
It would appear that's what she was waiting for, one last family reunion and this morning she slipped away peacefully in her sleep; aged 100 years and three days.
She leaves behind two sons and a daughter-in-law, five grandchildren and ten great grandchildren.
I am happy you are now reunited with Grandad Frank after too many years apart Hope you're having a dance and a smooch in heaven.
❤ Love you sweet Nanny Lil ❤


James Witt