The funeral service that caters for everyone’s needs

Eileen Wiggins

(19th June 1930 - 5th June 2021)

We are deeply saddened to announce the death of our beloved mother Eileen Wiggins on 5th June 2021.   Born on 19th June 1930 to David and Vera Green. Eileen grew up in Chiswick and relocated to Berkshire during the war years. She met her future husband Derek when she was 14 years old and they married in 1955. She was often heard to say ‘ I  just married the right man’ and 60 years later this was still the case when he passed away.  Caroline was a long awaited daughter, joined by brother Clive a few years later. With the family complete, she set about working with Derek who had joined David Green in business. Her role grew and developed until she became the leading light.  Strong, savvy, a pioneer, role model, female tycoon, formidable, perceptive kind, compassionate and caring are words used to describe her. She set about setting up a factory starting with one machine, achieving world class manufacturing awards.> 

Dealing in a man’s world, negotiating to buy heavy machinery, tools, raw materials was nothing she was trained to do, but she became expert at it and was admired and respected by her peers. However, she developed a broad range of interests and was elected as a Fellow of the Institute of Directors, she worked with Professor Lawler at the London Business School to set up the BDPA, the forerunner of the FPA our industry trade association, she was regularly featured on radio, television and was written about in magazines, newspapers and books. However,  the pinnacle came when she was voted Veuve Clicquot Business Woman Of The Year which  appropriately  came with a free supply of champagne and a silver tasting dish ! But maybe her true legacy was the long list of people she helped and mentored. Behind the steely veneer was a heart of gold, empathy and  kindness helping and supporting people where she could. Her generosity of spirit will be long remembered by those whose life she transformed.

To see where Eileen really got her strength of character from we would need to look back to her grandparents. Arriving in this country without a penny to their name, Simon Green built a multimillion-pound empire. The grit and determination needed to build a new life in England was the sort of strength and drive Eileen showed all her life. The iron fist in the velvet glove was literal. Anyone who shook hands with her, often winced, as she did the ‘power shake’, this did not desert her even at the end. He had a love of beauty and fine things and she too loved music, paintings, jewelry, clothes, flowers, and of course as Esther will know shoes! However, music was her passion, and although she never had the opportunity to take formal lessons like her father, grandfather, uncle, cousin John, and son Clive she loved opera above all else. Pavarotti was her idle and she was lucky enough to hear him sing in many places including Covent Garden. Visiting opera houses in Vienna, Prague, Paris, Venice, and Glyndebourne, it was Tosca and La Bohème under the stars at Torre Lago in Italy that held many magical memories. She also encouraged her family to enjoy and share her delight in music with both Joshua and Lilly, her grandchildren proudly winning music scholarships at their respective schools.

She was lucky enough to travel the world, camping out in  Africa, achieving her long-held dream of visiting the Taj Mahal in India, traveling through Europe on the Orient Express,  clubbing in Germany, spending all night in jazz clubs in Paris, dining at Buckingham palace, backing Derby winners, she liked nothing better than to be on the go. However,  if anything sums Eileen up it is the word ‘Love’ ..her love of life, her passion for the business, her deep affection for her friends and colleagues, and her unreserved love for her us her children and her grandchildren Esther, Joshua, and Lilly. She leaves a huge void in our lives, but her spirit and legacy will live on in those lives she has touched and the company that bears her name.

If you would like to give a donation in Eileen’s memory please support The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, which was a cause she raised funds for. The Hospital has supported us and many of our friends, family and colleagues in difficult times, so we would be very grateful for any donations.

Caroline and Clive Wiggins

Charity Donation In Memory of Eileen Wiggins

Donate to The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity

You can choose to make your donation amount private, if you wish.

The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity Donations

Robin & Gina

In memory of Eileen, whose kindness will never be forgotten.

£50.00 + £12.50 Gift Aid


Brian Nash

So saddened to hear of Eileen's passing. I enjoyed working her and Derek during my time at Plastico and there was never a dull moment. Condolences to Caroline and family

£25.00


Stephen and Sarah Cooper

In memory of Eileen who gave me my first management opportunity and mentored me in the 90s, with fond memories

£50.00 + £12.50 Gift Aid


Anonymous

£50.00 + £12.50 Gift Aid


James Taylor

In memory of a remarkable woman who I knew for only a few short years, but very much has left a lasting impression. Rest in peace, Mrs. Wiggins.

£30.00 + £7.50 Gift Aid


Brenda Knorpel

In memory of my special friend and a half.


Anonymous

£50.00 + £12.50 Gift Aid


Anonymous

Remarkable,lovely lady.A privilege to know. May her memory be a blessing

£100.00 + £25.00 Gift Aid


Anonymous

£20.00 + £5.00 Gift Aid


Anonymous

£30.00 + £7.50 Gift Aid


Anonymous

£30.00


Anonymous

£100.00 + £25.00 Gift Aid


John Reeves

In memory of Eileen Wiggins. A remarkable lady who enjoyed life to the full and had a real sparkle in her eye. Loved by everyone who knew her and will be sadly missed. Rest in peace Mrs Wiggins.

£50.00 + £12.50 Gift Aid


James Sinclair

Eileen was an inspiration to me and all at eGreen and she will be very much missed.

£50.00 + £12.50 Gift Aid


Paul

I did not know her as long as other people in eGreen but in that short time she made a lasting impression on me. Her candle has burnt out, but the light she left still shines bright,

£25.00 + £6.25 Gift Aid


Anonymous

£25.00 + £6.25 Gift Aid


Robert and Amanda Knight

£50.00 + £12.50 Gift Aid


Anonymous

£10.00 + £2.50 Gift Aid


Obituary

The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity

£745.00 + Gift Aid of £172.50

In partnership with JustGiving

We're Here to Support You

Get in touch to see how we can support your needs

Lily flower

A Few Kind Words...

“We would like to thank you very much for looking after Mum and for all the arrangements you made for her funeral last Thursday. Your professionalism, help and ready advice together with your sensitivity at such a difficult time was much appreciated by us all. Our best regards.”

Nigel, Colin Ian & Coraine Ferguson

“Thank you for the care and support you gave to us all at the funeral of Annette Streetley, we did appreciate you kindness as we first stepped through the door at your Claygate branch and the days following. I know Tony, Rachel & Andrew were extremely grateful”

David & Betty Wakeford

“I cannot believe that a month has passed since we first met, the day after Brian died. Within a short time of our encounter, I know that an occasion I had always dreaded would be transformed into a positive, memorable occasion – and so it was!

Your warm and practical attitude, as well as highly professional advice, immediately instils confidence. Every detail of the proceedings is meticulously explained and I felt completely relaxed. Thank you Jess for making everything work so well. You are a remarkable lady with a definite vocation and I wish you all the very best for the future. I felt I found a real, new friend, just when I needed it most.”

Irene

Dear Mr Alan Greenwood, I cannot thank you and your team in Bookham enough, for the excellent service they provided in every respect in the Cremation of my wife.

Your resident Funeral Consultant Mary fully explained all we needed to understand and advised the options available to us.

Her in depth knowledge of all the service providers including, Order of Service, authors and print selection, Celebrant, Hall and refreshments.

So many things which without her I would have been lost.

In the past few days I have received so very many complements and praise for the service you gave.

Do please allow other potential clients to share our experience.

Yours sincerely

Terry Eves-Thorpe

Sheila Eves-Thorpe

“How can we say thank you for all you did to make Robert (Bob’s) funeral so lovely? We felt you worked so hard ,with your company and the Church to make everything so nice. So once again thank you.”

Wendy Dennis & Brenda

“Just a note to say a huge thank you to yourself and the wonderful team at Send Greenwoods, they took care of us all yesterday at Les Ingram’s funeral. I’ve really valued your help and support over the last few weeks and the wonderful men yesterday went beyond their ‘call of duty’. They were certainly there at our great time of need. Please pass on my thanks to everyone. I also enclose four more donations. Many thanks again.”

Judith Hookins

Dear Cindy,

I just wanted to say thank you for yesterday and please thank all the gentlemen who helped us. Everything ran very smoothly and they were excellent.

I was also very happy with the service booklet and photographs.

Lyla

“We would like to thank you for a friendly and professional service and especially Adam who made a good job of the service, and a big thanks to Jane who was a great help and showed much kindness. We would recommend your company.”

Chris & Mike Whalen

“We just wanted to say a huge thank you for everything you did for us. You certainly made a very emotional and difficult time so much easier to bear. We are so grateful for the support you gave us and your gentle guidance along the way. Everything was perfect thanks to you and we would highly recommend you to all. With very best wishes.”

Family of Stanley Stearman

Dear Chloe,

We just wanted to all thank you and the rest of Alan Greenwood team for providing excellent service for organising and conducting our mother’s funeral – The day went perfectly.

Mike

View Testimonials
Lily flower