Lynnev

Comments

If you have any thoughts or comments on Mimi Smith, I would be glad to read them. --andreasegde 14:55, 26 September 2007 (UTC)

Apology given, even though I said "porky pies" :) Do you want me to put all that information in the article? --andreasegde 13:40, 19 October 2007 (UTC)

Your recent edits

Hi Lynnev, In case you didn't know, when you add content to talk pages and Wikipedia pages that have open discussion, you should sign your posts by typing four tildes ( ~~~~ ) at the end of your comment. On many keyboards, the tilde is entered by holding the Shift key, and pressing the key with the tilde pictured. You may also click on the signature button located above the edit window. This will automatically insert a signature with your name and the time you posted the comment. This information is useful because other editors will be able to tell who said what, and when. Thank you! --SineBot 02:26, 20 October 2007 (UTC)

Mimi

The one thing I do have a problem with is that Mimi was in/on the toilet when she died (or collapsed, and later died?) How could you hear what she said?--andreasegde 10:52, 20 October 2007 (UTC)

I talked to my girlfriend today (who is a nurse) and she kindly explained to me that the toilet door would have been open in case of accidents or death. However, I am very interested in the fact that Mimi's last words were, "Hello John". Thinking about it gives me goosebumps... Thank you for your input on the article (although, as it is an article about Mimi, you could help a lot. She must have said a lot of things...) --andreasegde 18:20, 21 October 2007 (UTC)

Actually Mimi could not get to or go to the loo by herself. She slumped while in there and did not respond to anything. I got her back to bed where she was Cheyne-Stoking (a kind of breathing that people do when they are dying) She did that for about a minute - then stoppped, opened her eyes, looked at the corner of the room and said "Hello, John" and then stoppped breathing. And yes, it was very freaky!! (Understatement) I just wish I had told Yoko about it when we were at the funeral or reception - I think that's something I'd like to know. I don't know how to contact her now. Someone had to be in there with her at all times to prevent her falling. And yes - she said a lot of things. She did not like Yoko - she called her that "Yoko Poko Person" - and she did not like anything American. But , I think that's understandable under the circumstances. She always fed the squirrels and the seagulls - usually with bread and butter!!! She was also very fond of explaining that John did NOT have a Liverpool accent - she always said that he put that on so that he wouldn't sound different from the other Beatles. She was not happy with him for that. I don't know whether or not that's true as I never met John. But - I did meet Jackie - and she did not sound as though she was from Liverpool. Cynthia was the one who seemed most upset at the funeral. Yoko and Sean were very nice - Sean was very quiet and polite. Yoko still talked to Paul occasionally. She seemed to like him the best of the other Beatles. If I remember anything else I'll let you know!! Lynne Lynnev 19:01, 25 October 2007 (UTC)

I thank you so much, Lynne — the "Hello John" quote still gives me goosebumps. What about the cats? Did she have any? --andreasegde 19:21, 29 October 2007 (UTC)

Michael Fishwick

Did she mention him? (He was the lodger at Mendips, who later went to New Zealand). Julia Baird has written a lot of stuff about Mimi, and I'm not convinced it's true...--andreasegde 10:46, 30 October 2007 (UTC)

Your answer (below) confirms my suspicions that Julia Baird is telling "Porky-pies", and not you... --andreasegde 16:27, 1 November 2007 (UTC)

Cats

When I first started taking care of Mimi she didn't have any pets. However, we all thought it would be nice for her to have a cat to keep her company. My mum got one from a local animal shelter - a big black cat called Thomas. He was really laid back - and a good pet. He never went outside, though, so he wasn't a danger to the squirrels and seagulls. Mimi never mentioned the guy you asked about. Lynnev 15:46, 1 November 2007 (UTC)

Funny that she didn't have any (please don't take offence, I'm only thinking about her cats in Liverpool that she sent John to buy fish for...) I love your quote about feeding the seagulls bread and butter (her doing it is very northern English :)) --andreasegde 16:19, 1 November 2007 (UTC)

Well - I'll take your word for the bread and butter being very northern English - I am from the West Country! We let the tourists feed the seagulls!! I guess that's why we got her a cat - I didn't realize she had them in Liverpool Lynnev 01:21, 2 November 2007 (UTC)

Persian cats mainly. She used to send John to the fishmongers to buy Hake for them, and Cynthia Lennon (you should read the article) remembered feeling sick when she was pregnant, while staying at Mendips, because she had to cook the fish.--andreasegde 00:23, 3 November 2007 (UTC)

Good News

I sent an e-mail to the Poole crematorium about Mimi Smith and I got this back:

"Mr Edge, on checking our registers for cremation, no record was found for Mimi Smith."

Kind regards

Karen Fry Superintendent/Registrar Poole Crematorium Tel No 01202 261381 e-mail k.fry@poole.gov.uk <mailto:k.fry@poole.gov.uk>

Then I sent another one (with her full name) and I got this back:

"Mr Edge, we have a Mary Elizabeth Smith who died on 6th December 1991 and cremated at Poole Crematorium on 12th December 1991."

Wonderful to be proven right, isn't it, Lynne? :) --andreasegde 16:24, 1 November 2007 (UTC)

P.S., I'm waiting for an e-mail from the hotel (which now has new owners) about the reception. I have to do this to provide full references for Wikipedia, and it's no reflection on you, BTW. --andreasegde 16:35, 1 November 2007 (UTC)

No problem. Since my dad and grandmother were also cremated at the same place, I sort of know the location!! Plus, I went to Parkstone Grammar School and we often did stuff at Poole Grammar School. Plus (!!) I passed the sign for the crematorium everytime I went to Wimbourne Market!! There are two hotels in Poole with similar names - one is the Harbour Heights and one is the Harbour Lights - the Harbour Heights is on Haven Road, I think - close to Canford Cliffs.Lynnev 01:15, 2 November 2007 (UTC)

Extra

I loooked at The Harbour Lights hotel (and photo) but I couldn't imagine Yoko going there -it's a B&B - wouldn't be grand enough :) --andreasegde 18:37, 6 November 2007 (UTC)

That's true - it's in a different league from the Harbour Heights which is quite the place to go!! Lynnev 21:23, 7 November 2007 (UTC)

Death bed

Julia Baird says she was there at Mimi's 'death bed'. Is this true? --andreasegde (talk) 21:19, 28 December 2007 (UTC)

I was the only one there when Mimi died - the next person to arriive was another (and more experienced at the time) nurse. Julia was NOT there!! ~lynnev

Good grief, that means that Julia lied (which is a good way of selling books...)--andreasegde (talk) 17:15, 16 March 2008 (UTC)

Did she write a book? Sorry - I guess I'm a bit ignorant about what's happening out there! Well - she definitely liedabout being there. Lynnev (talk) 22:38, 17 March 2008 (UTC)

You should read this: Julia Baird (nee Lennon).--andreasegde (talk) 14:15, 2 November 2008 (UTC)

Interview about Mimi

http://www.britishbeatlesfanclub.co.uk/features/2008/0328_lynn_varcoe.html If anyone is interested I was interviewed by the British Beatles Fan Club

Lynnev (talk) 22:48, 10 April 2008 (UTC)

I've put some of it in the article, but will put more in. Thank you, Lynne.--andreasegde (talk) 09:13, 11 April 2008 (UTC)

The house in Poole

If you look at the location of the house in Poole on the Mimi page, I'm not sure it's the right one, or it has been torn down.--andreasegde (talk) 17:26, 27 April 2008 (UTC)

Mimi's house was not really near Poole Quay. Poole Quay is in the middle of the harbour (Poole Harbour is the world's second largest natural harbour). Mimi's house was on Sandbanks - at the mouth of the harbour (and on the world's 4th most expensive real estate!!!). However - Mimi's house has been torn down - I can see that when I look at Google Earth!! Hope that helps, Lynnev (talk) 19:58, 9 May 2008 (UTC)

Thanks again, Lynnev. I wonder if Ono had it done, or the new owners. If it was the new owners, you would think they would have built something there by now.--andreasegde (talk) 08:21, 10 May 2008 (UTC)

Since that is the world's 4th most desirable real estate I imagine it was snapped up - and it was probably the new owners that demolished it - but I don't know for sure!! Lynnev (talk) 14:15, 16 May 2008 (UTC)

I think it's more likely that no-one wanted to buy it because of fans visiting it, so Yoko had it demolished, and held onto the land. It would be like her to do that, as the house is like Lennon's cremation - just ashes... :(--andreasegde (talk) 12:52, 14 December 2008 (UTC)

"Hello, John"

Hi Lynne,

I understand you're not a Beatles fan and are probably sick to death of Beatle nuts picking your brain constantly for the minutiae of Lennon's life with Aunt Mimi. Admittedly, yes I'm another Lennon fan however I don't intend to discuss the Beatles. I'm intrigued by your story regarding Mimi's last words uttered before she died. In January this year my beautiful Mother sadly died and I was at her hospital bedside holding her hand at the moment she passed. I had noticed as her death drew closer she had begun talking to deceased relatives. It was alarming to witness at first - yet fascinating and inspiring also. I don't wish to discuss the exact details publicly on wikipedia but if you wish you can contact me via email. Since my mother's death I've read a lot about the phenomena of "deathbed visions" reported by many family members and hospice staff who have nursed the terminally ill and dying until death. Of course, to many people DBV's are just paranormal nonsense and fair game for skeptics - however they do occur very frequently - despite whether you believe they are real or not. Having witnessed my Mother conversing with and "looking" at deceased relatives moments before her death it does open one's eyes to possibilities beyond this life. I've always been a spiritual person anyway so I guess this experience was more a confirmation of already held beliefs. I'm curious if you've witnessed many DBV's with other patients? I think it would be important to tell Yoko Ono this profound moment Mimi had at her moment of passing. I truly do believe John's spirit was waiting for Mimi and helping her to transition from this life to whatever awaits next. I think Yoko would appreciate and believe your message too. Yoko Ono still lives in the Dakota Building in NYC - I don't know her apartment number however I'm sure addressing the letter to "Yoko Ono" will suffice. She probably receives a lot of mail that isn't all personally opened by her - but I would imagine if you were to handwrite a sincere letter, clearly telling her your story and your role regarding Mimi - I'm certain your letter would reach Yoko. (Address: Yoko Ono, c/o The Dakota, 1 W 72nd St, New York, NY 10023, United States.) Best of luck Lynne! - Regards, Simon (SimonNielsen (talk) 15:32, 25 May 2008 (UTC))

Simon - I would be happy to talk to you about any experiences. I don't suppose any of us will know for sure what happens until the day we die! (I can wait!!!) I think I will write to Yoko - thanks for the info. By the way - it's not that I don't like the Beatles music - I'm just not their biggest fan! Lynnev (talk) 00:20, 26 May 2008 (UTC)

Hi Lynne, thanks for your reply. If you'd like you can email me by clicking on my username (SimonNielsen) and then clicking "E-mail this user" under the toolbox menu. Kind Regards, Simon (SimonNielsen (talk) 09:23, 31 May 2008 (UTC))

Mimi

I took out The Beatles reference on your front page, and added your interview to Mimi's page. :)--andreasegde (talk) 14:11, 2 November 2008 (UTC)