On August 18, 2024, at 5:45 PM, Tony & Suzanne Cannell <tonyandsuzanne@gmail.com> wrote: etc., etc., etc.

It was that (above) introductory email label on August 18, 2024 which signalled my email communications with the remarkable Suzanne Jonsen, former client, tiny elderly and terribly British woman, surviving life partner of Tony Cannell from Clayton, Ontario (whom I never met or knew), daughter of the late Mollie Panton-Wells (one of my earliest and most unique clients) and proud mother of Dr. Ian Jonsen, Australia, McQuarrie University, Sr. Biologist (whom I probably saw as a mere child nearly fifty years ago).

The email communications were preceeded by a chat between Suzanne and me at Equator Coffee in town. That afternoon confab was in turn subsequent to (and consequent of) publication of an article I wrote in The Millstone about Mr. Justice James Knatchbull Hugessen upon his death:

From: Tony & Suzanne Cannell <tonyandsuzanne@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, Apr 29, 2024 at 3:41 PM
Subject: Jim Hugesson
To: The Millstone <editor@millstonenews.com

Very well said and understood! I’m really glad to realise that I no longer have to worry about the dandelions, either literally or mentally!

I’ve enjoyed, once more, my breakfast readings. Now back to basics: To buy some icing sugar, which is hardly ever used, to apply it to a cake in order to donate it to Christ Church, Ashton tomorrow as St. George’s will be visiting enmass, for a luncheon Service.

Thanks for reminding me it is Victoria Week-end. Brings back memories of every May 24th was celebrated at my small elementary school in Ringwood, Hampshire, by all “Brownies” and “Guides”; the last three years of which, I was the senior Guide.

See you Monday.

Suzanne

Then follows from me to her:

You’ve got to write this stuff down!

By the way, I may as well confess, I am keeping a record of your email communications to me. Accordingly, I need a photo of yourself.  Even if it is a photo of you with others.  Please send it along so that I may edit in my usual manner for publication with the literary content. Thanks! Bill

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

September 2, 2024

That was quite an evening with an amazing meal.  The Australian Family would enjoy our weather as it is their early Spring, great for the whole family to be  together.

I remember those days of special “Ipad “viewing and talking”, then “Grandma and Uncle Tony I’m giving you a big Hug”!<

I grew up with the “seen but not heard” axiom until I was about 14 and “home for the holidays”. My God-Mother, Daddy’s youngest sister, came “Home” from New Zealand for the first time since 1937 to attend their Uncle’s 90th Birthday party @ Grosvenor House Hotel in Park Lane, London. That was what one of Daddy’s cousins, a few weeks later, called “A real Shein-Dig”: I believe a typical Scottish expression!<

So glad you were able to enjoy such a great day.

Just watched the ParaLympics Men”s Swimming, Canada won Gold. I have to stay around for another 4 years!!

Now back to housework.

Suzanne

September 1, 2024 v2

Hello Bill,  I just saw on my other computer that you received the photo fromKathy Lowe. She took several and that was the one we chose; our good friend,
the chief Warden Lynne, Was watching and she kept us both laughing.  Hopefully It is O K for your purpose.

I’ve had to switch to my old IPad, the other  one has to be recharged.
Going back to my War time sojourn in the Convent @ Westward Ho in North Devon.
During the Autumn term all 50 boarding girls had serious cases of Flu. The Easter term we all had Measles and were kept in our small dark rooms for a Whole week.

We lived in a large mansion owned by the Duchess of Manchester, who was obviously
A Roman Catholic, with a beautiful smallish Chapel.  From there we were bussed
Each school day to the main RC school in Barnstable (?) The only thing I remember
From there was having the famous Polish pianist , who escaped from the Nazis,
and he played for us all 100 girls. He also was to play some music from a special
book.  As I sat near the front, being short for my age (!) he asked if I could read
Music , I think I nodded “yes”, so I turned pages for him. Afterwards I remember
This tall man with an unknown accent giving me a small hug!

The Summer term I was the only girl out of all the other 100 to come down with
Whooping Cough.  I was quickly ensconced away from everyone else  to a very
Large bedroom with all lovely antique furniture and carpet. A few days later an
elderly lady came in and asked if I would like her to read to me. She came every
Day for a long time. She suggested that I call her “Aunty May”. Once feeling
well enough I was allowed to go down the enormous staircase to go outside  into
The sunshine.  Aunty May took me through  the most beautiful gardens, one which
had high brick walls all around. Inside were hundreds of different kinds and colours
of Roses, the perfume from them all is something that I have never forgotten.
She would often bring me a rose in a beautiful small glass vase before I was able
To go outside.

Finally I was allowed to go home. A long train journey accompanied by two Nuns,
Who never spoke one word to me. We finally arrived at Salisbury station, I looked
Out of the window and there was “ Mummy” waiting for me. I had no idea that was
Why I was on the train. The Nuns spoke to her for two seconds and disappeared !
We had to catch a bus to get home to Ringwood over an hours drive; I coughed
All the way home and also for another two months; I-missed my own school for part
of The Autumn term.  Much later I was told that Aunty May was the Duchess and
She kept in touch with Mummy for quite a while.

Condense this however you like, but I thought some of it might be of interest,
Especially Wartime.  Mummy and I spent part of each school holidays  for the rest
Of the war staying wherever Daddy was stationed. The last 3 years was at “Upwood”
Near Ramsey, a Lancaster and  Mosquitoe Staition.   Another long story!!

I presume you had a great time yesterday.  Sorry about my messed up time,
By late afternoon I felt better, I slept solidly 10 hours overnight and thankfully
able to participate in today’s special meeting as to how we can save  our old
St. George’s Church, the building was finished in 1901, there was an earlier
Wooden Church.  We have to keep fundraising etc:

Enjoy our last of Summer, keep tricycling well!

Suzanne
Sent from my iPad

Thanks, Suzanne!  More capital for the stores! You tell a great history!

September 1, 2024

Hello Mr Chapman

Suzanne asked me to send this to you. She also wanted me to tell you that she had whooping cough while she was at the convent school during the war. She said she would send you an email with more information.

Regards
Kathy Lowe

Dear Ms. Lowe:

August 31, 2024 v2

Hello, Suzanne!

I confirm my email is:

lgwilliamchapman@me.com

If you have someone (anyone anywhere whosoever) take a photo of you, they can then send it to me by email. You could ask anyone in the apartment building to do so. It will only take a moment. Then I’ll have it to add to your article I’m preparing.

You will of course have to make a note of my email address to provide it to the photographer!  So please write it down now on a scrap of paper and put it in your purse.

Bill

Preceded by:

Sounds like a good idea.  Or you would be welcome here, when I could show you my slightly less over crowded living area !

My Apple computer has somewhat changed, at times it’s driving me “nuts”!

SUZANNE

On Fri, Aug 30, 2024 at 7:54 PM L. G. William Chapman, B.A., LL.B. <lgwilliamchapman@me.com> wrote:

We’ll have to plan a coffee date at Equator for me to get a snapshot!

L. G. William Chapman, B.A., LL.B.
Barrister, Solicitor & Notary Public (ret’d)

On Aug 30, 2024, at 6:55 PM, Tony & Suzanne Cannell <tonyandsuzanne@gmail.com> wrote:

I have tried what you suggested but it’s not a simple thing to do!  Neither of my computers will forward the photo’s, or I can’t find them.

Sorry.

Suzanne

On Thu, Aug 29, 2024 at 6:00 AM L. G. William Chapman, B.A., LL.B. <lgwilliamchapman@me.com> wrote:

Stand in front of a mirror then take a photo of yourself.  Send it to me. It will edit it so there is no concern about quality.

August 31, 2024

More memories, which I’m sure Franz F’s daughter was too young for her to remember. On a few afternoons over a period of several weeks, I would babysit said two young children  In A.G.H. Cafeteria, whilst their dear Mother attended her Dr’s appointments.They would scribble artistic pictures on provided paper, I would read and show a few of Ian’s children’s books; namely “Richard Scarry” all beautifully drawn pictures of different lives and activities.

Enjoy your At Home weekend.

Suzanne

August 30, 2024

Well, it was very amusing, you really became deeply involved in an appropriate Senior’s Moment, or should I say “a quarter of an hour “!!  I know exactly where the said houses still stand.  In fact, around 2pm today I took a wrong turn and drove past the old Land Registry Office and wondered what would become of the old building.