My Grandmother's Teddy

My Maternal Grandmother Mildred Joyce Slack nee Travell always known as Joy 1906-2001 was one of the most important people in my life, she was a violinist primed for stardom with the best teachers of the day, age 14 her parents hired a pianist Dorothy Slack to accompany Joy's violin practice and her brother Edgar (George Edgar Slack) who was 21 at the time decided that he was going to marry her, 7 years later they did marry, they were married for over 50 years until he died, Joy's parents withdrew all support for her career and she gave up her music for love, in those days society didn't consider that a woman could have a career and a marriage.
Joy was always very fit and I can remember her doing cartwheels in her 70's, she swam in the sea from March to November every morning into her 80's and often slept under the stars when the weather was mild.
She was a very spiritual lady who held prayer groups in her home, she was a great cook, she could upholster and make clothes, she kept a beautiful home and an incredible garden, growing flowers, vegetables and roses, she was also a fantastic pianist and gave lessons into her 80's.
I used to stay with her as a child and it was always magical.
She was very openminded and an enormous help to me in my 20s when I was confused about so many things... she had a great sense of humour and an infectious laugh.
I felt special that I was her Grand child, I really loved and admired her so much.
She met my eldest child Zebedee before she died when he was a baby and they really bonded laughing hysterically and staring with bright eyes at one another, she wasn't able to understand who he was or really who anyone was by that point but they definitely 'met'. She had a rather sad end for the last 2 years during which time she was very confused.
She was a true Matriarch keeping the family together and when she died everything changed, but I treasure those times when she was the head of the family.
This is her Teddy and the little baby is her.
If I had had a girl I would have called her Joy
I love you Joy