Milford on Sea Sisters, Gwen & Anne Remembered

A lifetime at the heart of the Milford on Sea community sadly came to a close for two well loved village born sisters in December 2024.

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Gwen Peden

Gwen peacefully passed away with her family close by her side on 13th December 2024. 

Gwen was aged 89, and a very popular and valuable character in the village. Her kindness and warmth brighten many peoples days.

She was born in 1935 to a long-standing and well-respected village family and spent very many of her years at the heart of the Milford on Sea community.

Before opening Gwen's Ladies Fashions in the centre of the village, Gwen had met her future husband, Edward in 1956, just as he was planning to emigrate to Canada.

Having got engaged, Edward went to Canada in August 1956 and she followed him abroad and in March 1957. 

Gwen Peden with husband Ed
and daughters, Jenny, Carole,
and Michele

They married in Canada on 14th September 1957.

Gwen and Eddie returned home in December 1961, moving back in to Gwen’s childhood home above what was the Hillier's butchers shop. 

She opened Gwen's Ladies Fashion in 1964, and served the community in many ways until her retirement in 2012.

Gwen was the beloved wife to her devoted husband, Ed, a loving mother to her three daughters, Carole, Michele and Jenny, cherished by her brother, Chris Cooke, & sister, Anne Perrett, and a treasured grandmother and great-grandmother.

Her Funeral & Celebration of Life took place on Wednesday 15th January 2025 at New Forest Crematorium, and later memories were shared at the reception at The Smugglers Inn. Tributes can be made by clicking here.

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About Gwen's Ladies Fashions Shop

Gwen's Ladies Fashion was a familiar sight at the foot of Milford on Sea's village green for many years having opened in 1964.

Gwen had owned and run the shop through five decades. Her daughter Michele, and sister Anne, were also by her side at the counter for a long time.

In 2009, Gwen's Ladies Fashions was voted as the runner up in the Hampshire Village Shop of the Year. 

Gwen, Michele, Anne, and family attended a black tie event on the HMS Warrior where she was presented with her award by Alan Titchmarsh.

She had many happy customers across the village who popped in, not only to update their wardrobe, but also to get classic service, a warm welcome, and a friendly chat. 

Gwen was at the heart of the community, and always willing to help and support any village activities taking place. Her shop window notice board was always a great source of local events and information.

Gwen sold the shop and took her well-earned retirement in November 2012, and her contribution to the community was celebrated are her retirement party.

Gwen's Ladies Fashions shop & Gwen's Retirement Party
November 2012

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Judith (Anne) Perrett

Gwen's sister, Anne Perrett had sadly passed away just three weeks earlier on the 22nd November 2024.

Anne and Gwen

Anne was also a life-long and widely loved, Milford on Sea and Keyhaven resident.

She was born on 13th May 1937, in the flat above Hillier’s butchers, which was at 92 High Street, Milford on Sea.

Anne was described as the most kind, patient, funny and always loving person who has left her family with a lifetime of happy memories.

She is much missed by her immediate & extended family, as well as the many friends she had across the village.

A Celebration of Anne's Life was held in All Saints’ Church, Milford on Sea on Thursday 12th December 2024 with a large attendance, and the service conducted by Miss Gillian Peard.

This was followed by a private family burial, and a wake with love and laughter at The Cave, Milford on Sea. Family Flowers only. 

Donations in Anne's memory were made to to Dementia UK and The British Heart Foundation.

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History of Gwen's and the Family Butcher Shops

The Cooke's (Gwen's maiden name) were a Keyhaven family, with her dad, Fred being born at West Cottages, Keyhaven in November 1906. 

He started work aged 14 as a delivery boy at Hillier’s butchers, which was at 92 High Street, next door to The Crown Inn (now The Smugglers). Hillier’s butchers also had an abattoir at the rear. When Mr. Hillier became ill in 1935, Fred was made manager of the business and the family moved in to live above the shop.

Fred bought A. F. Hillier’s Butchers shortly after being demobbed from the navy in 1947. Gwen grew up in the flat above Hillier’s and her sister, Anne (Perrett), was actually born there.

Fred also bought George Miles butchers at 64 High Street in 1947, and continued to run the two businesses by their original names.

At that time, G. Miles butchers, occupied half of number 64, with the other half being the cart shed and entrance to the slaughter house. He soon converted the cart shed and slaughter house entrance into a wet fish shop, and both shops, the butchers and the fishmonger shop, traded until the early 1960s.

In May 1964, Gwen took over the business premises from her father Frederick Cooke, and converted it to a boutique, Gwen’s Ladies Fashions. 

Fred continued to run Hillier’s butchers until he retired and sold that business in 1977. He then converted the slaughter house and stables at the rear of number 64 into a ‘Granny flat’ where he and his wife, Lilly stayed until they passed away, Lilly in 1978 and Fred ten years later.

Gwen took her well-earned retirement in November 2012 and the shop was sold to become and interior design shop, No.64 Biscuit House. 

Collectively, Fred & Gwen had served the village community for 100 years.