I first met Alex in the spring of 1980, two people with common bonds. We were both in a new country, starting a new life and we were both pregnant. I was expecting our second baby and Ken and Alex were excited to be having their first child.  
We seemed to hit it off straight away and over the next year or two we shared many things. 
One of our weekly routines was to play golf early on a Sunday morning; we would meet at daybreak to play the back nine usually at Tempe Muni. We would walk round those nine holes chatting as we went. Catching up on the latest news about our family members in the UK, solving the world's problems and always hearing the latest antics of our young daughters.  With still plenty to say after the round we would sit in the restaurant at the club chatting over a cup of coffee. 
One morning a week would see us at Tempe Library for toddler story time and of course a chat over a coffee. 
We got to know each other's UK families as well spending time with them on their visits maybe playing golf, having lunch and always enjoying a happy evening at one another's houses over a gourmet meal, yes Alex was a great cook. 
Talking of food Friday nights was alternated between our two houses for a bridge night and of course a meal. Drinks were provided and Alex and I Would happily knock back the G & Ts. (gin and tonics). 
Sadly this came to an end when we moved to Texas in 1987 so our relationship was with letters and phone calls until our return to Phoenix in 1992. Our daughters were older and in school and so we were free to meet for lunch once a week. 
One of the things I remember was the construction of a sand trap in the back yard so that Alex could practice her short game from the comfort of her own house. 
Christmas eves were spent alternating between three houses one year us, one year Alex and Ken and one year John and Anne. While the children were younger this was in the afternoon, later as our children grew it moved to the evening. 
In the later years in changed to New Year's Eve as our children grew and moved into their own lives. 
Lunch for us slowly drifted to always be at the Olive Garden but our friendship grew and thrived and all these things I will forever hold in my heart. 
I love you Alex and see you in so many places 
Jenny

I remember the exact moment I first saw Alex. I was sitting in the passenger seat of a Thames Gas Board minivan with my dear friend Wynford Precious, and as we parked in the driveway of the house he had just bought, Alex arrived in her mini and parked a couple of doors down. where her brother lived. We all disembarked and started chatting. There were no thunderbolts or cupid's arrows, and I don't think the earth moved (rare in Essex), but there was a definite zing, or was it a buzz, when I first saw Alex smile. There's a line in a Paul Simon song "Late in the Evening" which goes "And my mother laughed the way some ladies do". Alex smiled, and laughed, the way some ladies do.
At a party that evening, we smiled and laughed some more, and danced and generally got a little silly. We walked through Hyde Park a couple of days later and held hands for the first time. The rest, as they say, is history. Dates led to true love and meeting the parents, which led to parents meeting the other parents, which led to the mothers sizing each other up and fathers exchanging war stories, which led to champagne glasses being clinked as the wedding date was announced. Whoosh, it all went. Then pregnancy tests and an interview with Motorola in where?? Arizona!! Good grief!! Julia arrived and parenthood began. Alex's smile and laugh took on a different tone, showing a proud Mom's unquestioned love and determination. And what a Mom, and what a daughter! They were inseparable. Flute lessons, Speech and Debate competitions, Girl Guide camps, family vacations all over the place. They both loved Disneyland in equal measure.
The last chapter of Alex's life reads like a tragedy, stricken by an awful and evil illness, far too early. But showing her strength to the end, the most frequent memory of Alex that the angels who work at Copper Creek and Hospice of the Valley recount to me is of her willing hugs, her gentle touch and of course, her lovely smile.
Farewell my Darling, I love you all the world...   Ken xx

Before I met Alex I was mad with her!




She had lured the brightest and the best of our engineering team in England to go to London to marry her. Added to that, he was the most witty person with the best sense of humor (sic) so how could she possibly deserve that? She did deserve it, of course, but having never seen nor talked to her, all I could do was to metaphorically stick pins in her effigy.




When they first flew into the US from England we met in terminal 1 at Sky Harbor - she, pregnant with Julia, bounced along next to me bestowing that beautiful smile on everyone she met. That smile and more had melted Ken’s heart.




Once they got established Jenny and I found ourselves playing bridge with them every Friday night. It wasn’t just bridge it was conversation. And food. Excellent food prepared by Alex when we were at the Papworth home and by Jenny when we were at our home. They do say that an army marches on its stomach, but we ate like the Queen”s army on those Friday nights.

 


We also got to know her beyond her outstanding culinary skills. She was a great companion and a great friend to those she met. Going to see every one of Julia’s stage performances epitomizes Alex. She gave everything, She went above and beyond for everyone. Those Friday nights were smoke filled until one by one we tried to quit smoking. Alex showed kindness bordering on foolishness to me when, after dinner one evening, she said to me “Peter you may smoke one pipe at the table after dinner”; she even thought of the weaknesses of others!




And always she did it with that beautiful smile.




Come to think of it, “lured” is not the word to use. Ken had realized that she was one of the best of the bunch and had embraced her and her, delightfully posh, British accent.




Good night sweet friend, and flights of angels hymn thee to thy rest.



Alex...she was always the cooler of our group of three Mum's (you know who you are).  She always seemed to be a bit more current than the average Mum.  I would never feel embarrassed when Alex was around and we were kids she could fit in with the best of them.   I always felt slightly envious that their family holidays were often in big cities New York City or San Francisco...the Papwoth's (I imagined) went to shows, local restaurants and museums.  I remember thinking…that seems so neat and interesting, and we, the Gill's, were going camping AGAIN.  Alex was very thoughtful.  Many years ago the Papworth's were looking after my sister and I while my folks drove from Austin to Phoenix.  Alex had to balance entertaining two teenagers while also keeping continuity with Julia's activities.  Alex had carefully planned out each day so that she had somewhere to take Ruth and I that we would be happy to be while Julia went to her flute lessons, Spanish lessons etc.    That took a lot of thought and it even 22 years later is much appreciated.  Alex we will miss you, what Julia said today really hit home…we have missed you for a long time.  Much love. xxx

OBITUARY

Alexandria Alex Jean Papworth

February 1, 1946 – December 13, 2014

Lakeshore Mortuary

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