Marie Bell-Hough was born in 1931 in Sunbury, Surrey. Her childhood was very much shaped by the Second World War, as were those of her siblings.
In fact, Marie’s education literally began in the air raid shelters of the Blitz, and continued during her evacuation to her uncle’s house in Suffolk. Her father was a builder and an air raid warden who helped repair bomb-damaged buildings, so he and Marie’s mother, a dressmaker, remained at home in Surrey for the duration of the war.
In the late 1940s Marie studied hospitality and catering at Chiswick Polytechnic. Her studies eventually led her to Fullers Bakery in Hammersmith, where she discovered a passion for bakery and cake decoration. Fascinated by the science of bread making, she then attended the National Bakery School, where she excelled at creating different types of bread and pastries. The school offered her a job as a teacher, but she decided to go it alone instead. Her skills and repertoire had blossomed, as did her reputation, and she soon had a successful home-based business creating celebration cakes, without even having to advertise. People would travel as far afield as 50 miles just to buy one of her beautifully decorated cakes!
Marie had met her husband John at school. They had been friends for a long time, as had their mothers, but their love story began when Marie invited him to an event as a plus one. Romance quickly blossomed – they later married and built a life together in Sunbury.
John, a scientific glassblower for BP, shared Marie’s mischievous and adventurous spirit. The story of their wedding story is as unique as their relationship. Although Marie’s mother had booked them a surprise honeymoon in Bournemouth, the couple opted to hide out, in secret, at their home in Sunbury instead, cherishing the comfort of their new life together!
Marie and John had two daughters, Karen and Rona. Karen became a dental nurse, while Rona’s varied career encompassed several years with the Police, most notably in the murder and drug squads. Nowadays, Marie is a proud grandmother to three grandsons plus a step-grandson, and three great-grandchildren, all living nearby in Surrey.
Life has brought Marie both joy and heartbreak. She lost John at the age of 51, along with her mother and younger sister (who tragically died in an accident) around the same time. Yet she found solace and purpose in bowling, becoming president of the ladies’ bowling club at Walton-on-Thames, leading her team to the National Finals and playing until the age of 85. She even bought a little set of bowls to play with her great-grandchildren!
Happily, Marie eventually found love again, marrying Denis, a widower with a son and two daughters, and supporting him through his battle with vascular dementia until his passing. Marie very much cherished their time together.
Despite having had no lessons, Marie was a gifted painter as well as baker and cake decorator. She regularly captured the beauty of her surroundings, including the weir at Chertsey, using oils. Her extraordinary creativity extended to award-winning gardening, too. She transformed her garden into a masterpiece of flowers and vegetables, nurturing over 7,000 plants and earning a “Highly Commended” award in the South East in Bloom competition.
In January 2024, Marie came here to Hampton, initially for a month while her house was being repaired. Happily for us, she decided to stay permanently! She loves her room here at the home, relishing the personal privacy, comfortable environment and community activities offered by the home. She also enjoys colouring, painting and spending time with her family, especially her great-grandchildren. After 14 years of living alone, Marie is loving the company of her visitors and the vibrant community around her.
At 93, Marie has so far led a long and fulfilling life. So, what’s her secret?
“It’s all about healthy living, not smoking, drinking in moderation and cooking for myself,” she replies. But most importantly, she credits her loving family for her happiness and longevity, continuing to inspire those around her with her vibrant spirit and enduring zest for life.
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