I moved to Forest Gate in 1997 and had my son, Sam. I was lonely and probably suffering from post natal depression to a certain extent. Mary offered me friendship and help with my baby.  She loved to bake and would give me the odd desperately needed break , making cakes with Sam. I remember she made him a lovely first birthday cake with 2 marshmallow rabbits under a chocolate duvet !  She was also a superb metalworker. She moulded and cast a new brass foot for an antique table that my husband,Joe, had inherited from his grandfather.it was a fantastically professional job. She was so kind and lovely with Sam. Later on, i returned the favour by dogsitting her beloved puppy Norrie,who constantly peed on my kitchen floor!