Mary McNulty was born in March 1932 to Jim (Jim, James or Mr) McNulty and Ethel Black in Keighley, West Yorkshire. She was something of a surprise, so Jim’s Family, who were Bookmakers and quite well to do, stepped in to help the young couple.
Mary’s clothes came from the exclusive children’s dressmaker, Madame Silverwood and she attended the prestigious Bradford Ladies College.
Jim and Ethel went on to have four more children, Gerald, Kitty, Peter and Tony.
In 1951 Mary married Norman Watson and they settled into married life on West Lane in Keighley. Norman was away at sea, serving in the Merchant Navy, so Kitty moved in with Mary.
When Norman was in port Mary would visit him, often driven there by Gerald. It was when Norman’s ship was docked in Victoria Dock in London’s docklands that a twinkle turned into a star and later that year Catherine was born. Two years later she was joined by Neil.
Mary was a gifted seamstress and made the children’s clothes, they were always beautifully turned out and she was very proud of them.
Norman joined Esso in1962 and this new job  took them away from Yorkshire first to Essex (which Mary hated!) and then to Northumberland, to Lancashire and finally to West Horsley …..and the Barley Mow!
Mary was always an elegant dresser and loved shopping for clothes, always co-ordinated and dressed up to the nines! Marks and Spensive will surely miss her!
 In the early 70’s Norman’s brother’s glamorous daughter, Helena, came from America to visit. She had been given some money for “emergencies only” by her mother. Mary talked Helena into spending the emergency fund on a fur coat!
In 1979 Norman’s job took them overseas this time to Bahrain. Mary arrived on Bahrain’s National Day, a day of huge celebrations and fireworks lighting up the sky. Mary chose to believe that the celebrations were for her arrival on the Island!
Friends back in England would laugh and joke that when your children grow up it is usually them who leave home not the parents!!
Mary was a lifelong fan of James Taylor and many hours were spent on the roof of “Little White House” soaking up the sun and listening to “Up on the Roof” whilst sinking a few tinnies.
Over the years in Bahrain, she made many friends and drove around in her bright yellow jeep. Her and Norman were often to be found in Chico’s Italian restaurant.
Eventually their stay in Bahrain came to an end and they retired back in West Horsley and the Barley Mow!
In 1989 Mary became a grandmother for the first time to Thomas. She threw herself into the role of Grandma. Along came Sam, Millie and Charlie her other grandchildren and she loved nothing better than being “Grandma In Charge”, insisting Conisbee’s made tiny sausages for the children when they visited. Of course baby sitting would always include a trip to the Barley where she could show off her wards.
In 2021 the first of her great-grandchildren was born, Oliver, followed a year later by Olivia.
Sadly she lost Norman in 2016 after 63 years of marriage. Her health and her lust for life lost its shine and she had several visits to The Royal Surrey. She never lost her sense of humour, though, and on more than one occasion asked the nurses where the wine was when it was lunch time!
Mary had only recently become a resident at Limegrove where she had made friends and Easter Bonnets.
After suffering a stroke she sadly left us on Monday 20th May, She lived a life full of enthusiasm and love, she lived for her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, and will be missed “Everyday”