| Sadly, Jack passed away in 1966, aged only 44 years. Elsie was devastated, but she kept her beloved Jack alive in her heart and knew that one day they
would be reunited. An avid letter writer, Elsie corresponded with friends as far a field as Colorado, Quebec and South Africa, as well as four generations of one family in Tacoma, Washington. The family in Washington were friends of her mother's from when they lived in Tacoma. Elsie's family lived in the lower flat and a Scottish lady lived in the upper flat. With them both being new to the country and "fish out of water" they became fast friends. When Elsie and her family returned to England they carried on their friendship by post for the rest of their lives. When Elsie's mum died on Valentine's Day 1948, Elsie took up the correspondence, writing first to her mother's friend and then to her daughter. |
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| In 1970, Elsie got the opportunity to visit the U.S.A. for the first time since leaving in 1913. She had to obtain both a British and an American passport, and save for
ages, but she made the trip and finally met Annie Lorimer, the girl she had been writing to since childhood. Annie and her family took Elsie around Washington and Oregon, and up to Mount Rainier. She had a fantastic time, took lots of photos, and made some new friends along the way. |