Tragedy struck Connie at a very early age. She was just shy of her fourth birthday when her mother died from progressive pernicious anaemia and heart failure. This event was to shape Connie's entire life. I think it is fair to say that she never really got over it. She would speak often with tears in her eyes about the time that she lost her mother. Things went further wrong for Connie. When she was six years old her father had remarried and she was asked to make the decision whether to stay with him all go and live with her grandfather. She chose to stay with her dad as she loved him. It turned out to be the wrong decision as her stepmother ill treated her throughout her childhood. Her sister Norma chose to stay with grandad and had a much happier time of it. In later life, the two sisters would recall this tragedy. Norma had a photograph of their mother and she said that she kissed it every day of her life. The crochet hook belonged to Ellen. It was the only material effect the Connie had that belonged to her mother. It goes without saying that Connie treasured this item.