Christmas was something we looked forward to as a family and it brought us all together from Yorkshire, the North East and overseas. Sadly, with the passing of so many it has now become a solo event, with time for reflection of those wonderful times.

Miss you every day

Julie was a wonderful sister and friend. Always thinking of others. We had some wonderful Christmas together.

Much loved Husband, Dad and Grandad xxxx

We are remembering my Grandad. An amazing trombone player in his day as well as a terrifically talented joiner. My Grandad was like a built in best friend. So funny, his smile and laugh just lit up the entire room. And I would always feel safe and secure whenever he was near, he just had a calming presence. He always reassured you that you would be fine and give you a big squeeze and you would instantly feel better. My grandad was so determined, this showed when he had a stroke when I was younger and he had to learn how to read, write and speak again and he did. He passed away two years ago now from falling on a rainy day and after all he had achieved recovering from those traumas, it left such a hole in our lives for him to be suddenly taken when he was so healthy. Our lives are definitely different without him as he was such a light and a joy. Everyone who met him says the same, he was just a force of nature. The best husband, father and grandad in the world.
We are also remembering my Granny (Grandad’s wife) unfortunately she passed when I was a baby so I didn’t get much time with her, which really upsets me but when I hear all the wonderful and also funny stories about her I truly feel like I know her so well. She was so kind, so creative, also a force of nature. She was very determined, she ran a restaurant whilst taking care of her family and just had so many feathers to her cap! She had an eye for detail. I wish I could have spent years on end with her, going around antique shops which she so dearly loved. She was a treasured wife, mother and Granny.
We are also remembering my Auntie Bridget. When my granny passed away Auntie Bridget sort of took on the role of Granny duties. And to this day , I can say she truly shaped who I am. She was so kind, so delicate, always fair. Auntie Bridget loved church and keeping her rosary beads close to her (which is something I like to do now because of her), everything in her home was perfect and beautiful. Some of the best memories of my childhood are school holidays at my Auntie Bridget’s. And walking through her front door and getting a whiff of her homemade chicken soup that she was cooking. Everyone who knew her, held a special place in their hearts for Auntie Bridget and that’s a fact. We miss her everyday.

And finally we are remembering my Granny Flynn (Auntie Bridget’s sister and my Mums Granny) she too passed when I was baby so I don’t have any memories with her and I so wish I did because of the stories I hear she was such a kind and wonderful person to know. I have one picture of her holding me when I was just born, I’m asleep in her lap and she is looking down at me just like an angel and she is so very gently holding my tiny hand with the tips of her fingers, the picture is so beautiful and special because although I never knew her that picture shows how much she loved me and how many memories we would have made together , the memories would have been wonderful. My mum describes her as so elegant and very much “a lady” and she was a huge part of my mum’s growing up, almost everyday they would see her, she was like a “second mum”. It just shows how treasured she was.

Both loved an missed.

Grandma looked forward to coming round for Christmas dinner every year, so this year me and my family have decided to keep with our traditional dinner, in honor of my Grandma, and keep celebrating Christmas for her. Family is what makes us stronger and we will always remember Linda for making us strongest.

Hello, I have made a kind donation in memory of my amazing mum, Sarah and would love to share her story.

My mum was cared for by St Barnabas hospice, and stayed in the inpatient unit November-December 2024. At the age of 38 she had been diagnosed with a rare, incurable form of genetic lung cancer. Her short battle with cancer was terrible for us all to see, but the incredible care she received at your hospice meant the world to us.

One of the last memories we ever made with our mum was watching the torchlight procession together outside the unit. The staff assisted in bundling my mum up in blankets and fluffy socks and wheeled her outside to watch the light walk with her family and children. There were tears, smiles, laughter, kind words and hugs from those passing by. I am heartbroken yet honoured to be participating in the walk this year in honour of my mother.

On the 4th of December, the staff set up their conservatory to allow us to spend one last Christmas Day as a family. We laid presents under the beautiful tree, played music and ate a Christmas dinner and cakes brought in by family. My mum was able to watch her young boys and teenage girls open the presents she’d picked out for them earlier in the year, alongside being spoilt herself with lots and lots of bracelets, teddy bears and skincare! The nurses were constantly on hand to assist with pain management and ensuring my mum was comfortable throughout the day.

The staff gave it their all, from washing, brushing and drying mum’s hair to being there for a broken family in the worst moments of their life. They went above and beyond to allow us to make those last memories. The nurses constantly spoke to me and my siblings and ensured we were staying as strong as possible! Mandy stayed with us as my mum took her last breaths and I’m forever grateful that we had her support and guidance, and that she showed my mum complete compassion and gentle care right up until the end.

My mum was treated with respect and dignity until the moment she left your unit. She loved the yummy food, joking around with her nurses and watching the squirrels and birds from her window. It felt like home.

Thank you St Barnabas, we will always keep your charity close to our hearts. You have made a huge difference to our lives.

A gentle man and a gentleman. I hope I can be something like him

Miss you so much
Husband ,Father Grandad
With all of our love
Hazel, Lynne Ian Adam Lucy Jamie
Mark Libby Eve xxx

Faith taken from this world far too early xx Heaven gained a beautiful Angel ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Dear Robert
You were taken from us so unexpectedly and we miss you dreadfully. Christmas will be very difficult without you darling xxxx

On Angels wings' you were taken away.
But in my broken heart you will always stay.

Both men loved life and lived it to the full. They left huge holes in our families which will never be filled. They are loved and missed tremendously each and every day especially on special days. Remembered always, forgotten never.

THANK YOU FOR THE HAPPY TIMES WE HAD

Remembered with love each and every day and missed so very much by all your family

We will remember our nanna because she helped Joe build his lego carousel last Christmas, because she made Evie two aprons, and the one with castles on it is her favourite, and for all the pennies she gave Joe and Evie every year for the advent calendars she made for them. We will so miss our Nanna this Christmas but we will love you forever. Joe and Evie xxxx

Christmas won't be the same without hearing your lovely voice.
My beautiful mum shines bright now and always, loved and missed so very much xxx

Christmas isn’t the same without you, we will miss you again this year but we’ll be thinking about you. Love you big bro xx

Thinking of you Dad. Loved and missed every day. Shine bright. Love from Mandy, Jack & Frankie xx

Remembering a much loved husband and father. Forever in our thoughts and hearts. Xx