The 90th birthday of Brighton Antique Dealer

She has lived an extraordinarily interestingly life, from being the daughter of an Sicilian immigrant green grocer in the western suburbs, to mixing it with the best of the ever so posh suburb of Brighton. Her wheeling and dealing with antiques was very successful. She had a long behemien period. Her English is fluent with clear diction, and she is well spoken. She also speaks Italian and can get by with Arabic and Greek. She is interested in theatre, films, opera, ballet and especially jazz music. She is world travelled, with about seven years ago taking an around the world three month ship cruise. Funnily, on the cruise she met the mother of my gay former workmate. We did subsequently all catch up for a meal. 

She wasn't averse to taking a puff of the weed, yet she being Catholic, went and still does go to church every Sunday. Her first husband was an Arab with the biggest... When she saw it, she thought it wouldn't possibly fit. She had two children by him, so apparently it did fit. Her second husband was a well to do, cross dressing yacht club commodore. She loved him dearly and he died just before we met her, late 1990s.

Her eightieth birthday party was fantastic, with Jazzie making her last performance before she died a few months later. 

As her dyke daughter organised her 80th, so too did she organise her 90th. The birthday celebration was great,with an open bar (I made sure I got my fill) and a two course sit down meal. There was a DJ, and the birthday girl was certainly on the floor, as were rather a lot of older people. The evening went flawlessly, and given the age of most of the guests, the party began at 6.00 and was pretty well over by 9.30. 

She is a very kind person but not one who takes rubbish from anyone. I am privileged to have known her for twenty five plus years. Her signature greeting at any gathering is, 'I only come to kiss the boys'.

Jazzie at BAD's 80th.

BAD at her 90th as we sang happy birthday, with fifty guests. Aside from family, I'd be lucky to rustle up ten for my funeral.