Josse at cousin Mary’s
Sadly there was a terrible underlying reason for this prolific flood of work. In 1961 Cleo, aged four, had contracted measles and died, leaving Ruth understandably devastated and traumatized.
Josse was sent away to live chiefly, with Ruth's cousin Mary and her family in Littlehampton and with Derek's sister Jean in Dorking. Ruth meanwhile, started therapy for a loss she would never truly recover from. While in search of solace she turned inward and lost herself in her painting. Derek's studio at this time, was in a nearby stables, some five minutes walk from the house, so Ruth was left alone at home to paint. It wasn't for another two years, before she was to be properly reunited with Josse again.
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