'Queen of Crocky' Scouse nan who was 'loved by everyone' dies aged 96

The family of a “proper scouse nan” who was loved by everybody have paid tribute after she died. Mary Williams, 96, from Croxteth, died on Saturday (November 16) morning surrounded by over 50 members of her family, following a short battle with pneumonia.

Mary, who was known as ‘Nanna Molly’ to most, contracted the illness around one week ago. Her granddaughter, Christine Williams, 36, has paid tribute to the "queen of Crocky.”

Christine told the ECHO how Mary was a “proper Scouse nan” who was a pillar in the community and loved by everyone. She recalled how everyone would call her Nana Molly and she was seen as a "Queen" to most. Christine said: “She was amazing, she was a legend in the area, she is one of a kind. She has 70 kids, grandkids and great grandkids, her life revolved around us all. Her life was to keep us all happy, she was so family orientated.

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“They broke the mould when they made her because you don't get them again. She came to Croxteth from Scotty Road years ago and started a family here, she has eight kids and that was her life. Thousands of people know her and she is quite well known. She's known in Croxteth as the queen of Crocky or as Nana Willow.”

Christine added: “She is a proper typical old school nan, no one ever stepped out of line and the respect she had was amazing. She has always been a proper fighter, my grandad died a few years ago and she basically brought up eight kids by herself.

“My nan always stepped in and helped people, fed them. She lived in a four-bed house with eight kids at one point and still offered a bed to anyone who needed it. She would tell other people stories about their grandparents, she was just loved by everyone, everyone knew her. She would never have to buy her own drink in the pub because everyone would be queuing up to get her a drink.”

Mary was so loved by her community that she even “stopped traffic” when returning home from hospital during the pandemic. Christine said: “During lockdown she has broken her ankle and when she was in hospital she caught covid. When she came out of hospital and the ambulance brought her home hundreds of people were in the street cheering and clapping for her. She literally stopped the traffic as she had that many people clapping for her.”

She added: “She has had a few carers over the last few years and even they all call her Nana Molly, she has watched so many people come and go in her life, she has been through heartache over the years but has always got through it. She has been through a lot, she is a warrior.”

Mary also “loved” to sing, said Christine and even had her own song, which was often requested in the local pub. Christine said: “She had a song about Theresa May and people would make her sing it at family parties and if she was in the pub. We have had a party for her birthday for the past 10 years. This last birthday we had a fancy dress party.”

Christine added: “She was an old school scouse nan and was an absolute legend, she also won an older people’s award in 2018, which was presented to her by Ricky Tomlinson, for her work in the community. She had fought for kids in the community and the community centres. They tried to close Croxteth Comp [Croxteth Comprehensive School] down, she organised a petition outside and they saved the school, she was a former dinner lady in the school.”

Mary died on Saturday morning and the whole estate was “mourning,” said Christine. She told the ECHO: “When she passed, it was heartbreaking for everyone. Because she was such a fighter we thought she would pull through.

“She passed away on Saturday morning but on Friday she woke up and said ‘I’m fighting,’ you could tell she was fighting for her family because she didn’t want to leave us. She was the backbone and sole to the family.”