Story by Ann Duckinfield (Freda’s daughter)
Freda passed away on 21st July 2016 at her home in Malton Street, where she had lived since her wedding in 1946. Freda met her husband at Winford Military Hospital where she was a nurse in the Royal Civil Nursing Reserve.
Pitsmoor was very different from Freda’s small home village of Longwell Green in Somerset. When she came to Sheffield, you couldn’t see across the Don Valley because of the steelworks’ smog and smoke. However, they shut down the steelworks for two weeks in the summer and the air became clear and the views opened up. Freda was happy on Malton Street where she quickly became part of the community.
In 1950, twins Ann and John were born. They had a happy childhood spending family holidays on the east coast. Families regularly got together on Malton Street to play rounders, cricket, football and many other games and neighbours got together for bonfire night parties, sharing fireworks and food on a small piece of waste land.
Neighbours helped one another, sharing time, talents and belongings. Mums took turns to walk all the children to school and back. Many went to Sunday School at St James’ Church on Scott Road. Lifelong friendships were made and Christmas cards are still exchanged by people who remain friends and share memories of the good times spent on Malton Street, even if they have since moved away. Freda loved her work as a nurse at the Northern General’s Accident and Emergency department, having “potted” the broken bones of thousands of Sheffielders.
A thanksgiving service was held at St James’ Church to celebrate Freda’s long and happy life.
