Isle of Wight County Press. Friday, February 4, 2011

TWO Ryde-born sisters — daughters of well-known former High Street grocers — died within days of each other.

Parkinson’s disease sufferer Leonora Josephine Tweedale died at The Elms Nursing Home, Bembridge, aged 87, on Friday, January 21.

Her sister, Rita Mary Elston, died at her home, in Windsor Mews, Ryde, aged 91, last Monday, January 24.

Their parents, Leonard and Ivy, ran the grocery shop, Harveys, in High Street, Ryde, for more than 50 years. Both women were assistants at the shop before they went their separate ways. They both married men called Bob at St Mary’s RC Church, Ryde — Mrs Elston in 1939 and Mrs Tweedale in 1947.

Sisters Mrs Leonora Tweedale, left, and Mrs Rita Elston, who died within days of each other.

Mrs Elston, whose husband died in 1961, lived in Ryde most of her life. She worked for a time in the office at the former Downing and Donovan garage, Ryde.

Both women are survived by their sister, Jean Thorne.

Mrs Thorne said: “To lose one sister is bad enough but to lose two in such a short space of time is a terrible shock.”

Mrs Tweedale leaves her two sons and three grandchildren.

Mrs Elston leaves her two daughters, six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.