Mrs Parsons paid a visit to Ena Sharples when Ena took an interest in her son Tony's talent with the harmonium in August 1970. Mrs Parsons didn't want to encourage Tony musically and was prepared for an argument with Ena, whose reputation for not minding her own business preceded her, but Ena only wanted to know why she was so against Tony pursuing a career in music. After her chat with Ena, Mrs Parsons let Tony accept a scholarship at a music college. The following year, she and Ena went together to Tony's first public concert at the college.