My Grandma was the bravest and absolute best person in the world. Gave the best cuddles and advice and I hope I am making her proud every day.

Christmas memories of a very special man. X

My wonderful Uncle Lew. Not a day goes by I don't miss his voice, wish he could tell me a joke, wish we could have a cuppa or a Sunday night telephone call. He truly was one of my favourites and I know I was his. Miss him dearly x

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.

Wishing you were here with us at Christmas, we all miss you so much especially as we only said goodbye just before Christmas last year.
There will always be a place a the table and a toast in your honour.
Shine bright up there. Love you xx

With all our love, always xxx.

Always Remembered
Love Diane, Sue and Mandy

We spent many Christmases with dad lots of laughing, food and drink great memories.
This is our first Christmas without him
Happy Christmas dad, we miss you
Love Sharon, Fraser, Gary, Leigh and Amy xx

Missed so much, not just at Christmas. Those happy memories you left us with will last a lifetime x

Strength not measured just in years, but seen in kindness measured forever.

My first Christmas without my soulmate and I'm going to miss him so so much , his silliness with our grandchildren, his laugh, his many funny ways but most of all his love, not a day goes by that I don't miss you Barrie and wish you were still by my side, love you always, shine bright to lead the way for me to join you.

Love and miss you

Always with us in spriit
Love Elizabeth x, Matthew, Jodi, Belle, Hermione and Teddy xxXxx

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.

It’s two years since I lost my dear husband and I miss him every day.

Dad passed away in March this year and Christmas just won't be the same this year. Every Christmas he would send a lovely card to all of his Grandchildren and on the back of the envelope he would always put a smiley face sticker. Every birthday he would do the same. The kids would always look forward to the cards and sticker on the back. He did this for many many years. At his funeral we stuck a smiley face sticker on his coffin. He would have laughed his unmistakable laugh at this as he had a great sense of humour. We love and miss you dearly Dad /Grandad and now Great Grandad xxx

These four ladies are all very special and are still much loved and will always be missed remembered for their humour, kindness and unending hugs and love.

Think of you every day. I miss you.

You lite up our lives every day. Gone but never forgotten. We think about you every day.
Merry Christmas Mam xx

Second Christmas without you but you are thought about every single day. Merry Christmas Mum. Miss and love you today and every day. Xx

Another light to remember your favourite time of year as always Dad We all miss you everyday love you xx

Peace to All

Allways the life and soul of the party, She may be gone but will never be forgotten. xxx

Love you and miss you so much my lovely caring husband and father and poppa too our grandchildren xx