FOUR DECADES TWO CONTINENTS ONE LOVE (OR HEART) WRITER & PHOTO: MONA L. WARRICK
“An invisible thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, space, or circumstance. The thread may stretch or tangle, but it will never break,” — Ancient Chinese Proverb
The love story of Maureen and Frank Speller spans not only decades, but continents. Theirs is a heart-warming story of a love that would not be denied. In 1961, Maureen Allen was a 16-year-old schoolgirl at the Chase Cross School for Girls in Collier Row, Romford Row, Essex. Maureen and Frank were both born in England, Maureen in County Durham in the Northern part of the country, and Frank in Leicester.
Frank and Maureen carved their initials in a tree years ago, and the carving is still visible.
“At school, I befriended the school’s janitor, a lovely woman named Edith,” said Maureen. “There was something so special about Edith, you were drawn to her, As our friendship grew, Edith became a second mother to me. She mentioned that I should stop by her house for tea. One day, I did.”
Courtesy of Frank and Maureen Speller
On that day, Frank, Edith’s eldest son, was home for lunch. Frank said,. “I heard the bell, ding-dong,
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