Bohemia Village Voice

Mary Housman

Mary was born in Paddington, London, on 12 July 1930. She died, aged 81, on 24 February 2012, only days after an operation at Crowborough.

Mary said her mother was Scottish and that she had a ‘rather correct and proper’ upbringing. Her career was based in and around London, mainly in office jobs. For nearly twenty years she worked on the switchboard at a music publishers in ‘Tin Pan Alley’ in London’s West End. She recalled one day being ‘very impressed’ when she met a most ‘suave and elegant’  gentleman – none other than Ivor Novello.  She used to ride a moped to and from her home in Putney to the West End.

She moved to St Leonards in 1992 with Gordon, her husband. She was quickly accepted as one of the community. Mary loved cats and took in many stray and rescued cats.

In Bohemia, Mary was well-known as a regular customer at the Café 67 in Bohemia Road. She always sat in the same corner seat by the window. Café owner Sue has fixed to the wall a walking stick which belonged to Mary. Sue said “Mary will be greatly missed by her many friends gained over the last 20 years living in St Leonards”.

She has a daughter, Carol and son-in-law Bill, two grandchildren Tracey and Paul, and two great-grandchildren, Lucas and Ella.

A service to celebrate the life Eileen Mary Housman was held at Hastings Crematorium, Thursday 15 March 2012. It was  led by Reverend Canon John Fletcher.

With thanks to Sue from Café 67 and Paul Elmes for help with these notes.

See also
The Bohemians – Mary Housman (Aug 2010)