When planning to visit Molly, my parents would often warn - give her LOTS of notice.  There were a few mishaps of Smith's turning up unannounced (no names! As I am sure they are reading this...).  I came to understand why - Molly often had a full week of social engagements scheduled.  This was evident at Molly's 90th birthday - as a relation, I was lucky to make the cut for the main event.  Molly being so popular, had to host the 2nd event with her 60+ friends from the (WI) Woman's Institute.  

Her hospitality was extraordinary - she was generous and you felt like a welcome guest on arrival. I recall being ordered on many occasions to sit down, while she fetched one thing or another from the kitchen.  She used to move at such a pace - I recall she would nearly trip, bounce off a wall, then return in a flash.  More recently, we were given the honour of bartender and serving up hors d'oeuvres she had prepared in advance.

From my first visit in 2007 - we established a great rhythm that I always looked forward to repeating.  On evening arrival - she would put on a spread including smoked salmon, cheese biscuits, gluten-free options (always remembering for Lara), then lots of booze (wine, G&Ts, sherry, rye, scotch - you name it) both before and AFTER dinner.   Dinner usually at the Swan or Railroad.   By day - it would be a country drive, Felixstowe with an opportunity to recount family history, or another local Suffolk town/market.  My favourite was the Maybush Inn in Waldringfield on a sunny afternoon looking across the River Deben. 

We were fortunate to make so many memories with Molly.