Mrs Kathleen MITCHELL (née ODELL)

Mrs Kathleen Mitchell (née ODELL)

My wife Kathleen (née Odell), was quite an exceptional woman. 

I suppose many husband's say the same thing of their wives, but through 

the almost 25 years of our marriage, up to her death 18 years ago on the 

3rd March, I was constantly surprised by her resilience.

We were often the only two "British" people in whole areas of Germany or 

France, and although unable, at the beginning, to speak the languages 

concerned very well, we learnt very quickly, and it's not easy when you have 

to deal with civil servants, speaking their own local dialect of German or French!

My story with my wife started in 1963/64, when she found herself installed in Germany, as a condition to her being accepted by Guy's Hospital, London, 

to fulfill her 6 month's overseas "experience". Guy's insisted on this at the time, 

and it wasn't a bad idea, giving the prospective State Registered Nurses a little 

more confidence in themselves. 

Not only 8 "O" levels, 6 "A" levels (good enough for a University place) 

were sufficient for Guy's Hospital! 

Maybe that's why the Guy's College of Nursing trained people were, 

and still are, much sought after - worldwide.

However, there she was, installed at an Army Canteen, known colloquially as 

the Sally Bash - actually the Salvation Army's organization of canteens and 

centres for British Soldiers, everywhere around the world, wherever 

British Soldiers were present.

She told me later that she would always put one of my favourite little cakes aside,

just in case I came for my "NAAFI" break coffee, which wasn't always the case!  (Kate as a trainee Nurse in Trafalgar Square)

My next meeting with her was about a year later, at my parents home in London, 

where I found her installed with two other of her Student friends.

She was in full fling of Nursing College life, and her studies were going along well. 

We married on 24 October 1968, at Wandsworth Registry Office, my best man 

was one of her female student friends, and our "reception" was in our little 

Bedsitter just off Battersea Rise, Clapham. It consisted of some bits and pieces 

to eat, and one bottle of Martini! 

We were - thankfully - only 4 people!

The following day, I returned to Germany, to my duties, and she went back to 

Nursing College!

 (In Lorrach, Germany in front of "iced" tree)  (Ian and Kate-New year's in Detmold, W Germany 

circa  1968)

  (Kate in our appartment in Allgau, Bavaria circa 1980)

Over the following 25 years, we travelled throughout Europe and the World, 

we were both erstwhile Soldier, Nurse, Civil Servant's (Home Civil Service), 

Civil Servant's (Overseas Service), back to Nursing, Hotel Chef in my case, 

and the marriage was a perfect one - I (as a chef) made everybody ill, 

and my wife nursed them back to health! 

We were often much aided by our professions and by the fact that the most 

difficult of things to do (find somewhere to live) when you moved around Europe, 

was made considerably easier. 

Nearly all Hospitals have Accomodation for new personel and their families, 

and ALL Hotels have accomodation as well. 

This fact enabled us to get installed before looking around for better 

accomodation. 

It seemed that my wife's talents were greatly appreciated, everywhere, 

in particular her ability to "diagnose". 

She was greatly sought after, particularly by the younger, less-experienced 

Doctors.

In her own case, of course, this ability back fired, and unfortunately she had 

self-diagnosed her own health problems well before they were confirmed by 

any Doctor. 

She also was well aware of the probable outcome. 

In certain things, this made it all a little easier, not much, but we were at least 

able to talk about the darker side, openly with each other.

 (Kate in hospital at Lorrach, W Germany circa 1991)

Kate is the subject, or is mentioned in detail, in many of my other articles, 

and when I write "we", then it is she who is meant.

The 25 years were troubled, wonderful, sad, happy, rich, poor - in fact, just 

like most people's marriages, only difference was that we were rarely still, 

in one place for long!

Those years flew by, and I can't really believe that they are over, but they are, 

and that at a very early age.

I think that my position regarding Religion, or "caring God's", can be understood, 

which is more than can be said for "his mysterious ways"!

These seem to me to be simple excuses for those people who can't explain 

anything anyway!

I used to give a sort of "remember" buffet lunch on this day, but I stopped 

when I realised that the majority of friends and family present didn't 

"remember", and simply looked forward to the day as being a good meal, 

with lots of good fun! 

This would, I believe, have been in the idea of my wife Kate, but health and 

other matters now make it impossible to fulfill this Calendar date.

I hope that, maybe, some others still do "remember" - nevertheless!

(iwmpop) Mr le Marquis.

Edited in January 2011:

I feel it only correct to mention the fact that since September/October 

2010 my life has been shared by Tina Concetta, a remarkable lady with 

whom I hope to rebuild what is left of my life from 2011 onwards.

I'm sure this would be in the sense of my wife Kate, 

and after almost 18 years of being alone I feel that it is in order for 

me to try for my part of the "gateau heureuse". 

Kate will always remain in my mind, and doubtless in the mind of Tina Concetta who is an extremely sensitive and understanding woman.

********************************************************

(Ian W Mitchell-      Vauvert,France-      Février 2011)