Following New Year I had been home for barely two weeks when I received a phone call from my sister Karen, to tell me that Mum’s health had seriously deteriorated and so I immediately flew back to the UK. She had just been moved to St. Ann’s Hospice so that they could better manage her condition and make her more comfortable. Thankfully I was able to spend the last week with her in the hospice, along with many other family and friends who visited regularly up until the end.

My Beautiful Mum – 29th Jan 1937 to 24th Jan 2019

My beautiful Mum finally passed away peacefully… surrounded by her family and a dear friend. Words cannot express how much we will all miss her.

The Funeral was held last Monday and we believe we gave her the best and most heartfelt send-off. My daughters, Zoe and Emma read ‘Nana’s Prayer’ and my brother, Mark delivered a most wonderful Eulogy. So many family and friends came to pay their last respects. Afterwards we celebrated Mum’s long and happy life with a wake held at the Alma Lodge Hotel in Stockport. We brought along all Mum’s old photo albums and everyone enjoyed memories that these photos brought back to mind. It was lovely to see so many relatives that we haven’t seen for a long time, or that we see only now and then. Mum would have loved it all…

Our dear Mum… I think she was amazing! She built her whole life around her family and was a truly wonderful Mother, Nana and Great Nana.  She was never happier than when she was with family, including all her Dutch relatives whom she regularly visited in Holland and entertained in Spain.  Mum was strong, independent and always optimistic.  She was glamorous, fun-loving and cheerful.  Her energy and enthusiasm in everything she did, knew no bounds and she remained very active, riding her bike and swimming every day until the onset of her illness in May 2018. With Mum – nothing was too much trouble and I have many fond memories of her digging up trees in our gardens, laying patios and up ladders cleaning our windows! All the while.. she’d be humming and whistling away to herself! For the last 8 years of her life, Mum lived happily and independently in Spain and we all visited her there many times, including our cherished family holidays which rotated between Cyprus, Crete and Spain.  She had a large circle of friends and a great social life!  Among her friends, she was proud to be in such demand as a Canasta partner and I’ll always remember our own Canasta Tournaments and how Mum was so competitive.  God help you if you ended up partnering her and didn’t play to her standard!  Oh, how we shall all miss her…

I would like to thank St Ann’s Hospice for the wonderful care they gave to our Dear Mum, during the last two weeks of her life that she was there. Added to this was their genuine care and support for our family too, ensuring there was enough space around Mum’s bed to accommodate us all and providing overnight facilities.   My lovely Mum departed this world with dignity, peacefully in her sleep… and with all her beloved familly around her.

Rest in Peace, Mum xx

                                                     Photo Album of Some Cherished Memories

Mum with her 6 children, born within 6 years and 10 months!

Mum, Dad & Leonie

Mum with 3 of her 12 Grandchildren

Cyprus 2015

Cyprus 2012

Crete 2014

Spain 2017

UK New Years Eve 2009

Spain 2010 – Riding her bike!

Crete June 2016 – Emma & Ash’s Wedding

Spain 2017 – Collecting seashells!

Crete 2013

Spain 2013

Spain 2017

Cyprus 2015

Mum with Great Grandson Ralph – Crete May 2016

Christmas in the UK 2016 – Mum with her 3 eldest – Karen, Mark & Me