If I'm not around for a day or two...

[Rapscallion]

I did a decade in retail. Our assistant was an octogenarian by the name of Ruth. She served in the WAAF during the Second World War, part of her duties being to ferry pilots around on a bus. Her favourite tale was of the time she had a batch of very badly behaved boys on the bus who wouldn't listen to her asking for no bad language - she ended up driving onto the runway underneath a landing bomber.

She also used to work along the parade at the bread shop, once leaving a shift there, then coming into the place we eventually ran to serve the same customer in two different shops within five minutes.

Just had a call. Taken by a heart attack on holiday.

There are times when I wish I wasn't teetotal.

Rapscallion

[FenigDurak]

She sounds like a remarkable woman. I would have considered myself very fortunate just to have tea with her and listen to her talk.

[Emrld]

Raps, sorry to hear about your loss.
It does sound like she led a very full life.

Maybe you will get to meet some of her family and convince them to write her memoires?

[powerboy]

Sorry for the loss of your friend, Rap. She sounds truly remarkable.

[Rapscallion]

Thanks, everyone.

The real gutting thing is that I'd been thinking of visiting her for the last six months - not been over for a couple of years (see the overdoing it thread).

Still bummed, but coping.

Rapscallion

[Barefootgirl]

RIP Ruth. She sounds a corker, bet she had some fantastic stories.

Hugs, Raps.

[Becks]

*hugs*

I'll hoist a glass to her in your name, Raps.

[Geek King]

She sounds to have been a right hoot to be around. The world is a grayer place without her. Condolences to you and her family, Raps.

[Rapscallion]

Heh - most of the time she was a steadying influence, but she had her moments.

Rapscallion

[Rapscallion]

Got some more information. I found out last night that there's a memorial service on Thursday afternoon, so I've emailed our personnel department to see if I can take the afternoon off at short notice, though I noted that I was expecting a 'no' due to operational pressures.

Rapscallion

[Evil Queen]

I hope you get the time off for it. Good luck Raps.

[Rapscallion]

Got the afternoon off with a minimum of fuss. I was quite expecting the 'sorry, but...', which I would have accepted quite easily - this is very short notice. They're even putting me on 'compassionate leave' instead of using a day's holiday, which I find baffling. She's not family.

Rapscallion

[Emrld]

let's see - we have an employee that is going above and beyond and helping pick up slack . . .and is a hard worker when on the clock.
loss of a close friend
hey let's let him have the time off to morn and not dock him for it, keep him happy to keep him around

Makes sense to me

Then again your Rapscallion and I am just one of the many whom is thankful for you giving us this outlet of verbal expression.

[tropicsgoddess]

Sorry for your loss, Raps.

[Rapscallion]

"Ooh! You look smart! Like a waiter or something!"

"Funeral this afternoon."

"..."

One down, and this was before nine am.

Rapscallion