Pinnie - Behind The Limelight

This book is the account of the life of a very remarkable woman.

Mabel was born in Winnipeg, Canada in 1906. Her father had a liking for alcohol and this drained the finances to an extent that resulted in hardship. Nevertheless, she received a good education; fees being paid by her mother undertaking dressmaking and by her uncle in London. Later she obtained a secretarial post with the Hydro Company in Winnipeg.

Her father died in 1929 leaving Mabel and her mother destitute. They then decided to return to England where they set up home in the east end of London where Mabel obtained employment with Spitalfield Market near the docks.

Unfortunately they suffered the effects of two German bomb hits during the war that forced them to move out to Oxford. Mabel found employment in the Mayor's Office but then moved on to the University Employment Office.

Her mother died in 1949 leaving Mabel alone for first time in her life. She decided to travel the world and set off to tour Europe. She advertised herself as a companion or nanny and this resulted in employment in Belgium and then Switzerland where she worked for an Argentine family.

Her life moved onto a much higher level when she was offered a position with a certain Charles Chaplin. Together with another nanny, she was placed in charge of a family that was to increase year by year. She met many notable people from the film industry, politics and also Royalty from around the globe.

During her long stay in Europe everyone called her "Pinnie", being short for Pyniger, her surname.

The book takes the reader through her fascinating life-style finishing with a remarkable eulogy by the Vicar of the Holy Trinity in Geneva. She truly was "one of a kind".