Three Auntiques

My grandfather, Jack Handley, had 3 sisters and a brother. I’ve just finished researching them as they will figure in the book.

I remember my 3 great-aunts well. We called them the Three Auntiques and they were interesting characters.

Annie was the eldest. She was a strong-willed, determined woman. She had an interest in children and became a school teacher; an occupation which was male-dominated at the time. Sadly Annie lost twins and a son of 6 before having 4 healthy children.

Mabel was Jack’s younger sister and remained a spinster most of her life. She was a vegetarian, played the piano and sang in the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir. When visiting her I remember how she told my future by tea-leaf reading, numerology and astrology.

Mary, the youngest sister, was a bookkeeper and a golfer. She married a stevedore and they had a daughter.

In their latter days Annie, Mabel and Mary went on holidays together, often accompanied with their cousin Blanche. They travelled all over the country and abroad, including to Switzerland and Holland.  I remember them enjoying themselves even though they seemed to squabble. Annie was quite dominant whereas Mabel and Mary would have their own ideas. Blanche played a mitigating role.