In memory of our Dear Friend Ada Orrells
Ada Spencer was born in 1914 in Horsell and lived there until her Dad was recruited into Royal Engineers in 1917.
Mum took the 3 children to stay in Norfolk. In 1919 they all returned to Horsell.
Ada Left school at the age of 14, and went into domestic service.
She met her first husband, Alfred Young just before her 19th birthday, got engaged during Christmas 1934,
and was married in December 1937.
Their first son Richard arrived in December 1939, then war was declared on 3rd September 1939.
Her husband was called up and went into the Royal Artillery as a despatch rider.
A daughter Valerie was born in August 1941, then in 1944 twins Peter and Rosemary arrived.
Tragically her Husband was killed in Belgium March 1945.
I quote from Ada’s diary ” Now more than ever, I prayed to the Lord for comfort and guidance in bringing up
our children, thanking Him for the love and joy they brought into my life, helping to ease the pain of bereavement.
I have cherished their love and loyalty throughout the years. They have been a comfort and wonderful support to me,
each in their own individual way.”
In 1946 Valerie contracted polio which in those early years was a major illness.
In 1950 Ada met and married widower Leonard Orrells, and gave birth to Daughter Anne.
That is as far as her hand-written diary goes, so I cannot describe the years in between,
But as we got to know her, in her time on Hermitage Estate, and when she came to KMC, we soon learnt what a loving,
caring lady she was. She did so much for other people, quietly and unnoticed.
I know she read for the “talking newspapers”, and helped out in the Marjorie Richardson drop-in centre, and was a
close friend to Albert Jefferies whom we all knew here.
When I was housebound for a year in 1993-94, Ada brought her house prayer group to me, and they gathered around
my bed, and we had such close fellowship and joy as we gathered in our lounge each week.
It was sad when she became very tired, but she was so sensible and decided herself, that she would be better in a
home, and she settled in at 'The Mount'.
When I was unable to continue as a Class Leader, Sylvia and Robb continued to visit her, and said she was always
so interesting to talk to.
We know she is now at peace, receiving her heavenly reward for all the good she did in her life.
God Bless Her.
Words mostly taken from 'Ada's Life History.' and precised by Sheila Mynard.
