Gertrude Grindley McLean

Gertrude Grindley McLean, 98, of Higden, died Jan. 16, 2014. She was born Oct. 28, 1915, in Cadishead, England to Henry and Sarah Grindley. Growing up she had five brothers: Rob, Jim, Albert, Jack, and Wilf. During World War II she met the love of her life, a Texan stationed in England, William "Bill" Crawford McLean. They were married Christmas Eve, 1941. Later her husband would say that was his best Christmas ever. In 1942 they moved to San Antonio, Texas, a long long way from her family. However, she and Bill started their own family with the birth of twin boys, Robert and Richard, in 1945. When the boys were seven, Bill was stationed back in Europe. For the next six years they lived in England, France, and Germany so were able to visit her family regularly. In the 60s they moved back to the States and were stationed at Little Rock Air Force base in Jacksonville, Ark. Upon her husband's retirement, they moved to the home of their dreams on Greers Ferry Lake in Higden, population 93. Over the next 20 years, she enjoyed tending the garden, making muscadine wine, being wife of the mayor, and hosting many of the boy's friends for weekends at the lake for boating and skiing. She was a traditional housewife her entire life. She gave unconditional love to her family. They were the focus of her life. She loved cooking butterhorns, apple pies, fish and chips, Yorkshire pudding, Aunt Myrnie's dip, lemon tarts, minced meat pies, and a good cup of proper tea (hot tea with cream and sugar). She was a blessing to her family and a treasure to her many friends. She was a happy person who always saw the good in others. After her husband's death in 1985, Gertrude, at the tender age of 72, learned how to drive and got her driver's license. This gave her a freedom she had never known before and loved coming and going. She loved her Crafts Group that met every week and going "antiquing" with her friends. She lived by herself until the ripe old age of 93. At that time, she moved to Robinson Nursing Home in North Little Rock, who took wonderful care of her these past five years and our family is most appreciative of their staff. She is survived by her sons, Robert McLean (Valerie) of North Little Rock and Richard McLean of Sarasota, Fla.; grandson, John McLean (Megan) of Little Rock, Ark.; granddaughters, Dr. Elizabeth Magann (Richard) of Oklahoma City, Katherine Vaughn, esq. (Josh) of Golden, Colo., and Carolyn McLean of Oklahoma City; step-grandson, Stephen Phaup (Courtney) of North Little Rock; step-granddaughter, Amberly Runsick (Allan) of North Little Rock; nine and 1/2 great grandchildren, Jake McLean, Claire McLean, Mason Magann, Henry Vaughn, Caitlin McLean (to be born in March), Jack Runsick, Elizabeth Runsick, Carly Phaup, Lydia Phaup, and Palmer Phaup; brother, Wilf Grindley (Doreen) of Preston, England; nephews, Ron Grindley of Warrington, England, Peter Grindley (Carol) of Manchester, England, and John Grindley (Liz) of Preston, England; and niece, Susan Gledhill (Phil) of Preston, England. There will be a graveside service at Higden-McLehaney Cemetery at 11 Sunday, Jan. 19, 2014. Olmstead Funeral Home, www.olmstead.cc.