by Carl Schultz
Abandoned by his parents at an early age, John Lennon was raised by his strict, austere, sharpminded aunt, Margaret Smith, whom he referred to as his Aunt Mimi.
Despite Aunt Mimi’s well-known, well-intentioned early advice to her strong-spirited, artistically-inclined nephew (“The guitar’s okay, John, but you’ll never earn a living with it”), John loved his aunt dearly, and throughout his life remained steadfast in his loyalty, respect, and devotion.
As John became successful—and very, very rich—he bought Mimi a well-appointed home overlooking the Atlantic Ocean (“If you don’t take it, I will,” he told her), and supported her for the rest of his life.
Lennon took Aunt Mimi along on at least one of The Beatles’ overseas tours—to Australia and New Zealand, where Mimi visited with some distant, long-lost family. And even at the end of his life, when John was living in New York City, he’d phone his Aunt Mimi at least weekly to check up on her, seek her advice on everyday matters—and just to talk.
John Lennon was looking forward to a trip back home to England, London, Liverpool, and a visit with his Aunt Mimi when he was murdered in front of his apartment on December 8, 1980.
Every Moment Has A Song 