Youngest of eight children. Parents John Sanders, a merchant, and Emily Sanders (née Dennis). Her father died from bronchitis when she was just 7 years of age and until 14 lived at a Dr. Barnardo Home because her mother was without means and turned to drink. Those years she never spoke about and were obviously unhappy for her. She was then employed as a tailoress for Steery and Geary. She married a local man who enlisted in the Canadian army and was killed in action in France only six weeks later. She was awarded a generous pension for life which meant she was fairly secure. Marion, as she was known in the family, lived in a large late Georgian house, C.1820 at Meridian Place, Clifton with her sister-in-law and her daughter's family. She was my mother's godmother and was always faithful in this duty after my grandmother's sudden early death. And my mother, who was named after her, maintained a high regard for her all her life. When this lively elder sister, Kate (my grandmother) was alive she often went for day trips and holidays with her. Later, after her death in 1923 she almost never took a holiday. And in the late 1950s after an accident in which she broke her leg by falling down steep stone stairs, she became a recluse. Always a very kind and religious lady. She especially liked visitors. Great Aunt Marion died from a stroke and was found kneeling by her bed.
Youngest of eight children. Parents John Sanders, a merchant, and Emily Sanders (née Dennis). Her father died from bronchitis when she was just 7 years of age and until 14 lived at a Dr. Barnardo Home because her mother was without means and turned to drink. Those years she never spoke about and were obviously unhappy for her. She was then employed as a tailoress for Steery and Geary. She married a local man who enlisted in the Canadian army and was killed in action in France only six weeks later. She was awarded a generous pension for life which meant she was fairly secure. Marion, as she was known in the family, lived in a large late Georgian house, C.1820 at Meridian Place, Clifton with her sister-in-law and her daughter's family. She was my mother's godmother and was always faithful in this duty after my grandmother's sudden early death. And my mother, who was named after her, maintained a high regard for her all her life. When this lively elder sister, Kate (my grandmother) was alive she often went for day trips and holidays with her. Later, after her death in 1923 she almost never took a holiday. And in the late 1950s after an accident in which she broke her leg by falling down steep stone stairs, she became a recluse. Always a very kind and religious lady. She especially liked visitors. Great Aunt Marion died from a stroke and was found kneeling by her bed.
