Beatties group celebrates Christmas
Former Beatties workers once again re-united for a Christmas celebration - but this year there was someone missing.
Mary Boddy, who had organised the annual festive celebration for retired members of staff at the department store for so many years, sadly died in September, aged 94.
She had made it her mission to keep the Beatties pensioners group together, giving them the opportunity to reminisce over a three course meal at The Britannia Hotel, Lichfield Street, Wolverhampton at Christmas time.
This year, with Mary gone, it took three people to ensure everything came together.
A former sales assistant at the store, 84-year-old Shirley Richards, from Penn, said helping to organise this year's party made her realise once again how special Mary was.
She said: "We miss her and there will never be another Mary for us, she has been so influential in all our lives and has kept us all together throughout the years.
"She was such a good organiser of people and that is important when you are working with large numbers.
"We all knew our place when Mary was around and we all shared some of the best times of our lives with her.
"Countless times while we have been putting this together I have said to myself 'come back Mary we need you'."
Mrs Boddy, from Merry Hill, worked at Beatties for almost 35 years as a catering manager before retiring in 1980.
Her continued efforts to keep the ex-colleagues together, organising day trips, monthly meals and the annual Christmas party saw her rewarded with an Express & Star Local Hero award in 2010.
A total of 83 guests were attended the meal to reminisce and pay tribute to Mary.
Mike Baker, 64, from Stafford, also organised this years meal.
He said: "We had always helped her but only when it was left down to us did we realise what a big challenge it was.
"Mary was a big character and a great speaker, she didn't need a script, she just spoke to us from the heart and we will all miss her this year.
"It will feel strange but we have to carry on and that is what she would have wanted."
The trio who have taken over Mary's role as party organisers is completed by Anne Sharples, 77 from Wombourne.
She said: "She just looked after everyone so well and was such a big character.
"I am sure everyone will be talking about her this year and we will have a toast in her memory."
The Beatties group meets on the last Thursday of every month at the Britannia Hotel.
